Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, the latest venture by Luke Edmonds, has rolled into Owensboro, offering a wide variety of beverages for local events.
The mobile coffee truck, a franchise developed by Kona Ice, is an extension of the business owned by Luke’s parents, Jared and Melissa Edmonds. The family opened Kona Ice in Owensboro in 2021, and now Luke, 20, is taking the reins of Travelin’ Tom’s.
“Travelin’ Tom’s is named after Tom Lamb, the father of Tony Lamb, Kona Ice’s CEO,” Edmonds said. “The Kona brand holds a special place in my heart, and it’s done so much for my family. I couldn’t be here without the incredible foundation they’ve built.”
Edmonds, who began studying journalism at Western Kentucky University, decided to put his college career on hold in February 2024 to launch his own small business. He described the opportunity to operate Travelin’ Tom’s as “too good to pass up.”
The coffee truck offers much more than its name suggests. While it specializes in iced, hot, and frozen coffee drinks, the menu also includes teas, lemonades, refreshers, energy drinks, hot chocolate, and apple cider.
“There’s a stigma that if you visit a coffee shop or truck, you have to get coffee,” Edmonds said. “That’s not true. I don’t drink coffee myself, but I love hearing how much our customers enjoy it.”
Currently, Travelin’ Tom’s is exclusively event-based, with no plans for a permanent location. Edmonds emphasized that the mobility of the truck is central to its brand identity.
“It doesn’t make sense for us to have a daily setup location,” he said. “It takes the Travelin’ out of Travelin’ Tom’s.”
Customers can find the truck at local events or connect with the business online. By visiting TravelinTomsCoffee.com, users can enter their zip code to locate the Owensboro franchise. The business also has a Facebook page and can be reached by phone at 270-228-3764 or by email.
As the sole operator of the truck, Edmonds takes pride in providing a personal touch to every aspect of the business.
“If you call the number, it’s me who picks up,” he said. “If you email, it’s me who responds. If you get a drink from the truck, it’s me who makes it. My family and I love this brand, and we’re doing what we can to help others fall in love with it, too.”
