Central Filling Station celebrates success as home for food trucks

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Central Filling Station has been celebrating two successful months in business. The food truck park was previously transformed into a thriving center for tastes and treats from a seemingly abandoned fuel station on N. Central Street, just up from Knoxville's Old City.

Co-owner Alden Larrick shared with Local 8 News some of the learning curves that came with such a unique idea.

"There have been learning curves with everything,"

Larrick said.

"Running a completely outdoor location, you think you know what that's going to be like, and then you don't really know until it's raining and cold."

Despite the chilly start, the park has kept busy with customers.

"We haven't had a single shift where we haven't seen several people at least,"

Larrick said.

"That alone is pretty indicative of the support we've gotten so far."

Locals like Erik Ford braved the windy day Thursday to enjoy some tacos.

"You get used to sitting in restaurants all the time, and it's just nice to be able to sit outside. It's like a picnic,"

Ford said.

The Filling Station has been mutually beneficial for Knoxville's growing food truck scene.

"Just knowing that you have the Central Filling Station as kind of like a backbone, a place we can come and have consistent business, it's been great,"

said Chris Jones, owner of CJ's Tacos.

"It's been wonderful,"

said Kenneth Oglesby, owner of Big O's Famous BBQ.

Owners of the Filling Station said they have many things planned for the near future, including landscaping, more live music, extra seating and eventually, more food trucks.

"The whole idea of this thing is to make it exciting for people, to make it fun for people to come out every week and kind of have it be a weekly spot where you never know what's going to happen,"

Larrick said.

The Central Filling Station is open to the public Thursday through Sunday of each week. For hours and a food truck schedule, visit knoxfoodpark.com.