The Tale of the S.S. Minnow: From Trolley to Triumph

It all started with one of those aimless late-night scrolls through Facebook Marketplace. You know how it goes—you’re not really looking for anything, but you’re secretly hoping to stumble across something magical. That’s when I found her. An old San Francisco trolley, weathered and forgotten, sitting on someone’s lot and begging for a second chance at life. Most people would’ve scrolled right past, but not me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this trolley had a story left to tell.

She looked rough. Her paint was faded, her wooden panels were chipped, and the years of wear were clearly visible. But there was something about her. I couldn’t explain it, but I just knew she was meant to be part of something great. Without overthinking it, I pulled the trigger and made her mine. By the time she arrived in our driveway, I was already head over heels.

Now, my husband, Mike? He raised an eyebrow or two. To be fair, so did the neighbors. “What are you going to do with that?” they all asked. But Mike knows me better than anyone. If I get an idea stuck in my head, there’s no stopping me. And to his credit, he rolled up his sleeves right alongside me. If I was on this crazy trolley adventure, so was he.

That’s how the real work began. And trust me, it was work. First came the sanding. Oh, the endless sanding. Mike took the brunt of it, turning those weathered panels into smooth surfaces that were ready for a fresh start. Then came the varnish. Eight coats, to be exact. Yes, eight. We still joke that we should buy stock in varnish at this point. Mike stayed patient, brushing each coat on like he was Michelangelo perfecting the Sistine Chapel.

The two of us tackled the painting together, though Mike definitely held the brush more often than not. The transformation was slow but steady. By the time we were done, our little trolley no longer looked sad and forgotten. She sparkled with pride, ready to take on a new life. It was amazing what some sanding, paint, varnish, and a lot of elbow grease could do.

But we didn’t stop there. Next came the vinyl, which, I’ll admit, was not our finest hour. Vinyl application isn’t the easiest thing, especially when you don’t have a clue what you’re doing. There were bubbles. Lots of bubbles. And more than a few “creative words” exchanged between us as we painstakingly smoothed them out. But in the end, we made it work. She deserved to look beautiful, and we were determined to make it happen.

When all was said and done, there she was. She wasn’t just an old trolley anymore. She was something special. But there was just one problem—she couldn’t sit in the driveway forever. She needed a purpose.

That’s when we christened her the S.S. Minnow. Inspired by "Gilligan’s Island"—a show I grew up watching—the name felt perfect. She was small but mighty, and while she held so much promise, we knew she could leave us shipwrecked if we didn’t figure out a plan.

At first, she joined us at a few events as a coffee cart. She was a hit—at least visually—but something was missing. The crowds were hungry, and we realized we needed to step up. What could we serve? That’s where the next lightbulb moment came.

One night over dinner—and maybe a couple of glasses of wine—we figured it out. We were eating chili, warm and hearty, and it just clicked. Chili! It was perfect for cool nights and easy to serve. Why not give it a shot? And so, the Minnow became more than a coffee cart.

The chili was a success from day one. Over time, we expanded the menu, adding bread bowls, baked potatoes, and even chowder. On cold nights, the Minnow became a beacon for hungry event-goers. She wasn’t just a trolley or a coffee cart anymore—she was a gathering place. Trivia nights, live music, Thursday runners’ club—it all came together.

Now, as summer creeps closer, we know it’s time to pivot again. Chili and chowder don’t exactly scream summer vibes, but that’s the beauty of the Minnow. She’s adaptable. All we need is another stroke of inspiration (and maybe a glass of wine or two) to figure out where to go next.

Stay tuned. The S.S. Minnow has more adventures ahead. Mike and I wouldn’t have it any other way.