Sweet Treat Aloha Treats 904, a pop-up specializing in candy and fruit with a crunchy twist, is opening a new food truck in the Jacksonville area.
The company, centered around freeze-dried fruits and candies, is the brainchild of Keegan Mapa, who opened the business with the help of his parents, Stephen and Odia Mapa. The family started small, selling sweet treats at farmer’s markets, including the Second Saturday Arts & Farmers Market at the First Christian Church on San Jose Boulevard. Now, owners have applied for a new mobile vehicle, according to a plan review approved this week by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
“We were like, we found some products, and they were really good, so let’s just start sharing it with our friends and family,” Odia told the Business Journal a few years ago at the time of the business’ launch. “We just are really valuing the time we have with (each other). This is bringing us together more. This is literally a teeny, tiny thing. We’re not trying to be Mars. We are doing this for fun. We want to keep it simple, keep it local, and have fun.”
While this business was launched to keep the family together and serve the community, Keegan has decided to enlist with the U.S. Coast Guard and will leave the company to his parents. When the food truck opens, customers can expect a variety of freeze-dried treats, with a handful of special releases based on holidays. Recently, the eatery released a spooky candy drop for Halloween, featuring bags filled with freeze-dried marshmallow Peeps, candy corn, and Skittles.
