BORN FROM A BUS

OUR BEGINNINGS

When Matt Trotter and crew opened Horseradish Food Truck in 2015, the goal was to simply add another dimension to Trotter's funky retail shop, Teak & Soxy. But after 2 seasons of serving up specialty sandwiches and salads out of the little school bus, Trotter was approached by one of his most frequent regulars, Alex Pearsall, about stepping out of the bus and into a building with a full-size kitchen. Pearsall, who has Summered in the Green Lake area since a child, had recently purchased a building in Princeton's Historic downtown where Trotter grew up and his businesses were located. The two let the idea simmer in the off-season and then in early 2017 realized their shared food philosophies and passion for entertaining would be a recipe for success. They opened the multi-faceted eatery, Horseradish Kitchen + Market, in May 2018.

TIMELINE

(There’s a lot of history here.)

RETAIL BEGINNINGS

2012-2014

Teak & Soxy opens at 444 W. Water Street, the building that was once home of Muk Luks. Named after family horses that often escaped their enclosure and roamed the streets of Princeton, the retail store sells home decor, fragrances and vintage goods. Matt runs the shop Friday through Sunday in the Summer while working full-time during the week.

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ALL ABOARD

2015

A white 1984 Check Econoline school bus is purchased on Craigslist and is parked in the lot at 444. Matt’s partner, brother and mom invest $4,000 collectively to start. Horseradish Food Truck is born with little food service knowledge. Customers order inside of Teak & Soxy and can eat sandwiches in the lot surrounding the bus.

YEAR TWO

2016

A liquor license is acquired and a tropical beer garden is built in the parking lot. After one too many cans of wine at lunch, Horseradish regulars, Alex and Sarah, go to an open house across the street and purchase the 505 building and pitch on Matt on Horseradish 2.0.

YEAR THREE

2017

Matt and Alex form a partnership and demolition begins at the 505 building in March. 14 dumpsters are hauled away in the process. Teak & Soxy opens on a smaller scale at the 521 building. Horseradish Food Truck continues to operate at the lot at Princeton Garage.

HOMECOMING

2018

Horseradish Kitchen + Market opens at 505 W. Water Street - once home to a Tavern and Harness Shop. The new format includes two garage doors and a screened deck overlooking the Fox River. The Airbnb opens upstairs.

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MOVING ONWARD

2019

The Sunday Sessions launch. The 544 building, known for decades as Swed’s and then Tracy Porter’s flagship store, is purchased with plans to open a hotel.

2020

COVID SUMMER. Horseradish Kitchen + Market continues serving customers from a walk-up window.

2021

Work begins at future the Parlor Hotel. The Sunday Sessions return. Teak & Soxy moves inside Horseradish. The lower yard is finished along the river with picnic tables.

2022

Teak & Soxy celebrates 10 years. The Sunday Sessions celebrates its third season. Work wraps up at Parlor Hotel and welcomes first guests. Horseradish opens year around.