Katie’s Of Smithtown’s Food Truck Ruined In Fire, GoFundMe Made

SMITHTOWN, NY — Katie's of Smithtown was dealt a massive financial blow when its food truck was destroyed in a fire two days before Thanksgiving. The bar lost the ability to serve food — both in its establishment and at events — as the food truck served as the kitchen.

Katie's has since missed out on holiday parties and tree lighting ceremonies, said Brian Karppinen, the owner. The loss of ability to serve food and the omicron variant of the coronavirus causing uneasiness among the population have contributed to a "major" profitability loss, according to Karppinen.

"Since [the food truck] burned, it’s really hit me in the gut, man," Karppinen told Patch.

A GoFundMe page created to help Katie's of Smithtown buy a new food truck has garnered more than $5,700 since its creation on Nov. 25.

Karppinen said he needs $50,000 to purchase a new food truck. He said he feels funny to repost the link to the GoFundMe.

"I’m not that kind of guy to ask for help all the time, but I’m really in a pickle," he said.

The truck was not insured for a fire breaking out, as it was lacking a fire suppression system. Karppinen said he was in talks with the fire marshal and working on getting fire suppression in the truck, affectionately dubbed "Roxy," but the coronavirus shutdown stalled the process.

"Roxy" was purchased in 2015 in a case where Karppinen took a gamble: He flew out to California on a one-way ticket and resolved to not return to New York until he had a food truck to drive back in. California food trucks are created to be food trucks and are not converted mail trucks or armored cars like the ones found elsewhere, Karppinen said.

Karppinen recalled going to Mels Drive-In diner in West Hollywood every day while he scoured the papers of various food trucks he was looking to potentially buy. He got very friendly with the staff of the diner while doing his research. He then finally found a food truck that he liked and sought to buy it from its owner for $47,500.

"The woman’s name was Roxy," Karppinen said. "We made the deal. She was retiring. I jumped in the truck alone and I drove it back. It was a great trip. I made a lot of friends on the way back."

Karppinen painted Roxy's name on the back of the truck he named in her honor when repainting it.

"Roxy" served as the culinary base of operations for Katie's, where Karppinen and his staff served up macaroni and cheese in waffle cones; holiday egg rolls filled with turkey, stuffing, cranberry and served with gravy; and more traditional fare like tacos, sliders, fries and onion rings.

The beloved food truck met its doom on the patio of Katie's when a deep fryer did not automatically turn off when it hit its desired temperature.

"My staff member was stocking beer, and he went back out to check on the truck, and it was burning up," Karppinen said.

The Smithtown Fire Department responded to Katie's, at 145 W. Main St., around 6:50 p.m. Nov. 23, where all four of the department's chiefs found the truck fully engulfed in flames, said Rick Torre, the department's public information officer. The fire was doused more than an hour later, but the truck was unsalvagable.

Karppinen does not know when Katie's will be back to serving food. The only timetable he could offer was when he "has the money" for a new truck.

The community has been heartbroken about the destruction of the "Roxy," and the musicians and performers who Katie's has supported over the years have been adamant about wanting to help out Karppinen in his time of need, he said.

"I would like to thank all the supporters of Katie’s over the years," Karppinen said. "The musicians, artists, the community and the Town of Smithtown for rallying and trying to help me out with getting me back on my feet and another truck."

While Karppinen may not know when Katie's will have a new food truck, he has an idea of what he wants.

"I would like a similar truck but with a fire suppression system already installed."