The Bottled Up Podcast, presented by Allen Beverages, is a bi-monthly podcast focused on where the beverage business meets local business by sharing the stories, talents, and business savvy from some of the owners, staff, regulars, and musicians of the best bars, nightclubs, restaurants, music venues, and attractions on the Gulf Coast. Host, Andrew Allen, will sink his teeth into some of his favorite places while uncovers the secret formulas that make these incredible places so popular, heck, some even legendary.
BOTTLED UP EPISODES
EP12: Crafting Unique Experiences with Kenny Williams of Mosaic
This episode of Bottled Up features Kenny Williams, co-owner of Mosaic in Ocean Springs, MS. Kenny talks to Andrew Allen about the unique and consistent experience he seeks to provide his patrons, from the décor to the music. He also shares his knowledge about having a team of managers who are bought into a shared vision, compensating talent accordingly, and using the assets of Ocean Springs to make it a unique destination for tourists. Lastly, Kenny shares his experience as a professional musician and how he uses that in the bar and restaurant industry. Tune in to gain insight into creating a fantastic food and beverage venue and customer experience and learn Kenny's simple yet effective bar and restaurant marketing strategy.
EP11: David Delk: The Man Who Can Get You Things
On this episode, Andrew Allen talks to a man known to be able to get you things. From a lawnmower to a bucket picker, to a large wedding tent, and even an elephant, this supplier of goods and needs is David Delk of ABC Rental, and he reveals the ins and outs of the rental business trade and how he and his father have built a successful and respected local 55-year-old business. Plus, David will talk about how strong local communities help and carry businesses through hurricanes, tough times, and pandemics.
David Delk and his father have provided a necessary business for our part of the world for over a half-century by sticking to their simple business mission of providing a needed product in proper working operation and at a fair price. So, if you are looking for a backhoe, chainsaw, a huge wedding tent, or even a circus elephant for your next job or event, David Delk and ABC Rental is a good place to start to save time, frustration, and a few bucks.
EP10: The Frosty Mug Then, Today and Tomorrow with Tim Thibideau
Welcome back to the first Bottled Up episode of 2023. Today, we talk with Tim Thibideau of the legendary "Frosty Mug" in Wiggins, Mississippi.
Mr. Tim and his wife Jan, lifelong successful entrepreneurs who have a track record of always finding juicy business opportunities, took over the Frosty Mug in 2008 and have maintained and evolved the excellent food, consistent presence, and the essential community hub that is the Frosty Mug.
Check out The Frosty Mug and try one of those famous Lot O' Burgers and specialty shakes >>> {https://www.frostymugwiggins.com/}
On this episode, Mr. Tim fills us in on the small-town origins, what makes their burgers so legendary, upgrades coming to their legacy menu, and the importance and future of keeping the Frosty Mug around for its customers, past and present staff, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Keeping a 65-year-old establishment relevant and thriving is a challenging task. Tim Thiddeau and his wife Jan have done a fantastic job with running and growing the Frosty Mug, and the community and the area are better off for their dedication, hard work, and success. Hangouts and community hubs like The Frosty Mug make small-town life so unique and appealing. Mr. Tim knows that reality and is making sure that when the time comes, whoever takes over the Frosty Mug, will have to understand the importance of the history and consistency of this local landmark and legendary establishment.
So, let's all sit back, listen, and hear what it's like to run and grow a legendary 65-year landmark establishment and brand.
EP9: Tis the Season for Harbor Lights with Jase Payne
On this episode, Andrew Allen talks about the ins and outs, and we get a peek behind the curtain of "the best Christmas Event in Mississippi, the Harbor Lights Winter Festival, with Communications & Marketing Manager of Gulfport, MS. Jase Payne.
Jase will discuss how his work in the movie industry prepared him for his showcasing job with the city; and he gives advice for others wanting to start a big festival. He also shares the resources, people, things, and the magic needed to put on Mississippi's largest holiday event that is turning Gulfport into a true Christmas destination for not only tourists from all over but for all locals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
EP8: Never Cut Corners with Alex Robert of Monster Subs and Sandwiches
On this episode, Andrew Allen talks with Alex Roberts, the co-owner of Monster Subs, one of Gulfport's best places to get large, premium meat, deli-style sandwiches, and subs. Alex tells us the origins of why he and his father started Monster Subs on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, some of the challenges in his shop with outrageous rising food prices, how he manages working close with other family members, and he reveals the secret ingredient to their huge success and growing community of Monster Subs sandwich lovers.
Alex Roberts and his Father have really built something here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and we love how they started their deli because they couldn't find an authentic Italian sandwich and a specific taste that they craved. What a great business origin story, and it's such a blessing to all of us locally that this father and son team followed through with their plan and can deliver on their product and passion every day.
Listeners, you have got to go see and taste the huge and amazing sandwiches at MONSTER SUBS and SANDWICHES. Hearing about these mega-sandwichs on this podcast does not do them justice.
EP7: What's Cooking with Chef Stephen Morgan
On this episode, Andrew Allen talks with Chef Stephen Morgan the Director of Food & Beverage Services of the Boyd Gaming and the IP Casino Restaurants in Biloxi, MS. Chef Morgan walks Andrew through his amazing culinary career that started at the age of 12, through his schooling at the Culinary Institute of America, earning his Chef stripes with Ritz Carlton and eventually to reorganizing the IP Casino and Resort restaurants after Hurricane Katrina. Chef Morgan also gives his best advice on making a restaurant popular, proficient, and profitable. Plus, get your pen ready for some culinary insights for the best Coastal comfort food recipes and secrets from a real-world Top Chef.
EP6: Surviving The Storms with Scuba Steve Johnson
On this episode, Andrew Allen talks with the Scuba Steve Johnson of Scuba Steve Clothing Company, a coastal lifestyle apparel brand he started in Gulfport, MS. Steve's incredible success story of persistence, hard work, positivity, and overcoming immense adversity has more twists and turns than the 1000s of miles he has driven from festival to festival selling his popular and unique t-shirts. So, listen closely because Scuba Steve has some life and business lessons to teach us all today.
EP5: Creating A Dining Experience & Food Fans with The Scratch Kitchen and Bar
On this episode, we talk with Brittany and Billy Alexander of The Scratch Kitchen & Bar in Ocean Springs, Brittany and Billy started the Scratch Kitchen with hope, a dream, a little know-how, skill, and a food truck and with hard work, big smarts, attention to the details, and amazing food they have grown The Scratch Kitchen to a beloved brand that is now a bigger food truck, a brick and mortar location, and a dedicated community of employees, patrons, and fans. Plus, the Alexanders will talk about the working dynamics of a husband and wife team, developing thick skin, and how The Scratch Kitchen is more than just a business.
EP4: Cheers To Matt Mavar of The Cannery Bar and Grill
On this episode, Andrew talks with Mathew Mavar, the owner of The Cannery Bar and Grill in Woolmarket, MS. Mathew reveals the ins and outs, joys, and challenges of running one of the best live music venues and bars on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Plus, he also shares his family tree origin story of "The Cannery" name, the genius of Elvis, and his best advice on surviving the grind and the secrets to thriving in the bar and restaurant industry.
EP3: Stopping Traffic with Ms. Leisa Culpepper of The Whistle Stop Cafe
On this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew talks with Ms. Leisa Culpepper of the family-owned The Whistle Stop Cafe of Wiggins, Mississippi. Ms. Leisa tells the cafe's origin story and the secret recipe of success for this "good ole" country cooking restaurant whose food is literally known to stop trains and traffic. Plus, we learn how Leisa's "retirement plan" business became a 20 plus year labor of love and how her beloved and departed husband and partner is still a part of the #1 restaurant in Wiggins on TripAdvisor. Described as "comfort food with a twist", one visit to the Whistle Stop and meeting Ms. Leesa and her staff you'll see why they are a community treasure and known for treating all their patrons like family. Big tip: If you happen to make your way to The Whistle Stop Cafe, make sure you try their famous catfish and fried green tomatoes. Enjoy the show!
EP2: Crushing It with Zach Rushing of Outlaw Speedway
The description of "Renaissance Man" gets thrown around a lot these days, but in our humble opinions, today's guest Zach Rushing really fits this lofty title. Zach is not only the owner and operator of Outlaw Speedway in Perkinston, MS; he is also a bonafide YouTube influencer and the creative force behind BBB Outdoors. Plus, he's a no-holds-barred southern motivational entertainer who is selling out venues all over the South.
EP1: The Folk Art of BBQ with Brooke Lewis and Brad Orrison of The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint
Welcome to the first episode of the Bottled Up Podcast; on this episode, host Andrew Allen talks with the brother-and-sister and bonafide BBQ World Championship team of Brooke Lewis and Brad Orrison from The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint. Open since 2001 and located right off I-10 on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it has been a magnet for BBQ and music fanatics from all over the country.
MEET ANDREW ALLEN
Andrew Allen started working for Allen Beverages, his family's company, in 1998 when he was a teenager. He started in Vending Department and then started working on trucks and merchandising stores learning the business from the ground up. Andrew graduated from Mississippi State University in 2009 with a degree in Marketing. In 2010 he started his professional career with Allen Beverages as a third generation operator. In a short time, he helped the company receive Pepsi Co Bottler of the year in 2014. This year Allen Beverages celebrates 75 years as the local Pepsi provider on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Andrew currently lives in his hometown of Gulfport, MS with his wife and two daughters.
WHO IS ALLEN BEVERAGES?
Allen Beverages is your local Pepsi provider on the MS Gulf Coast since 1947. Founded in Gulfport, MS by Cleve Allen and named the Spur Bottling Company as a Canada Dry franchise. The first delivery was made in September 1947, one day before a hurricane, and with a fleet of one army surplus truck. Today, Allen Beverages is one of the premier food and beverage companies on the Gulf Coast with a product line of Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Lipton Tea, Dole juices, Sunkist Flavors, Hawaiian Punch, Starbucks, Aquafina Water, Sobe, Gatorade.