Submitted by Gerry Clare
Roving Reporter
July 21, 2014 2:55 p.m.
Wilasinee and her husband, Petty Officer Josh Woodard (NAS Jax) are owners and partners of the new Thai restaurant just north of Old Nassauville Road in the eastbound lane of A1A S R 200. The previous restaurant owners moved back to Thailand. Wilasinee was an attorney in Thailand, studied at Loyalty Cooking School in Thailand and promised her grandmother that she would do honor to her special Thai recipes at their new restaurant.
Ahan Thai opened on June 13th, Josh and Wilasinee’s eighth wedding anniversary. They serve authentic Thai foods, a wonderful selection of beers, and wine. Seafood, beef, chicken and pork are offered with a variety of curries, sauces and specialty items. Ahan Thai (Ahan means food) has a bright, modern décor and when I stopped by was set up for a large group dinner. Josh and Wilasinee are pictured with son, Ethan, and Wilasinee’s brother, Golf Pikun and his wife, Watanpongchai.
I wish we had the time to eat there (in the Goodwill strip center), but we certainly will be back soon to try lunch or dinner and “Mango Moose Cake” for dessert in the near future. Their address is 474260 E SR 200, Fernandina Beach and their phone number is 904-321-0255. Oh, and they also have a takeout menu as well. They are working on their website, but do have a Facebook page to start.
Ice Cream…
At a recent American Business Women’s Meeting in Fernandina Beach, I asked the ladies at my table if anyone has an ice cream truck in their neighborhood. We talked about Good Humor, Pied Paper and many other fun ice cream trucks in our childhood memories. While many of them did not have one that they knew of, my neighborhood does have one occasionally, but I could not figure out a schedule. Coincidentally, I ran into one in Heron Isles, not literally, fortunately.
Summer Williams and her children, Emma and Lucas, were ordering their favorite treats from Kitty Scott, owner of Colin’s Ice Cream, named after her grandson. When I asked her where she took the truck and why my city friends didn’t know about her, she said that she does her route in the county.
In order not to overwork some neighborhoods she staggers deliveries to certain days for different areas and now I know that my neighborhood is Sunday and Thursday, plus she gave me her card for special event needs, ice cream socials and birthday parties. Sounds like fun to me. Go to www.facebook.com/ColinsIceCream or call 904-402-4228 for more info.
A Movie…
Movies are great in the summer, especially when it is rainy or just too hot, so I stopped by the Blackrock Baptist Church to check into their movie and refreshments event, scheduled for Friday (7 pm) and Saturday (Noon & 4 pm) on July 25th and 26th. Ann Marie Cole introduced me to their new Pastor John Kasper, who moved from Oceanway’s Pecan Park Baptist in March. Pastor John explained that the church is reaching out to the community with this type of event.
The movie, “ God’s Dead”, actually played in Fernandina Beach’s Carmike Cinema earlier this year. I read the reviews and the movie sounded really interesting, so I plan to attend this movie I missed, especially since it is free and near where I live. The address is 96362 Blackrock Road in Yulee and hopefully, the construction will be over by then. If not, you can always use Chester Road and cut across the 2nd Heron Isles entrance to make a quick right on Blackrock. Refreshment are served immediately following and prior to 2nd showing. For more information you can call 261-6220. I asked about the sign in front of the church building….”the church has left the building.” Pastor John explained that the congregation is the church, not the building.
Editor’s Note: Gerry began free lance writing for fun and is the author of a published book (available on Amazon and at Books Plus) about funny real estate experiences. Gerry is a longtime member of our local American Business Women’s Chapter, a volunteer cancer driver and church deacon who loves to read, travel and meet interesting people.
I think the reason why the ice cream truck doesn’t come into the City is the ordinance against mobile food vendors except for special events. Based on all the controversy in Jacksonville and other communities, it is a controversial subject. This is the ordinance that almost nipped Felix a couple of years ago when a mobile food vendor wanted a permit and was told the City doesn’t allow so he pointed to Felix. Ruling by the City Attorney was that Felix wasn’t selling his products since people gave donations that he turned over to non-profit organizations. But many fond memories of the ice cream truck in my neighborhood in central FL with the orange creamsicle my favorite.
From city staff: Municipal Code 26-69
Prohibition of sales without grant of franchise. No person shall sell from any temporary location, vehicle, cart, wagon, temporary structure or any other point of sale located on any public street, sidewalk or right-of-way any ices, frozen treats, frozen foods or beverages, milk, yogurt, ice cream or any dairy or similar product, unless such person first obtains a franchise for such sale from the city commission.
Application. Before the city commission shall grant a franchise for the mobile sale of any ices, frozen treats, frozen foods or beverages, milk, yogurt, ice cream, or any dairy or similar product, the applicant for such franchise shall first make written application to the city manager for such franchise, attaching to or setting forth in . . .
I’ve been told City requires liability insurance from vendor. Smart move to protect taxpayers since accidents do happen.
I moved to Honolulu for six years in the 60s; just returned from a visit there. Food trucks were part of the culture then and now. We could take a lesson from their success. Also, little impact on the multitude on sit down restaurants in the city.