By Cindy Gladden, Record Staff Writer
The KT Caboose, located at 600 Depot St. along the Katy Trail in Marthasville, will reopen under new management Wednesday, March 22.A grand opening celebration will be held April 1 at the caboose.Once again, the vintage caboose will offer food and fun to Katy Trail visitors and the surrounding community.Dave Farris and his daughter Emily have been revamping the caboose in past weeks, getting it ready for their new adventure. Since the caboose has been vacant for two years, everything is being updated, painted and cleaned up.Farris is not a stranger to Marthasville, having spent some of his childhood years here. For 40 years he was employed as a truck driver. For more than 10 years Branson was his home.He recently took time off from his job when his wife Kathy suffered from ALS, or Lou Gehrigs disease. He was her caregiver for more than a year.“We are opening on her birthday, March 22,” said Farris. “Just as a tribute to her.”Farris and his daughters Emily, 23, and Katie, 26, have had a lot of changes in their lives in the past few years. Both girls were finishing college during their mom’s illness and Dave Farris was ready to do something different.“I’ve been dreaming of something like this my whole life,” said Farris about the new business. “Here, I know people. It feels good to be back. We’re scared, but we’re excited.”Emily, with degrees in the culinary arts and business from College of the Ozarks, will be helping her dad get off to a good start. She plans to work at his side at Dave’s KT Caboose until her wedding in August.Farris admits that barbecue is one of his specialties. Baby back ribs, country-style ribs and pork steaks will be barbecued outside on his grills and smokers. Burgers, pulled pork and chicken breast will also come off the grill.Other sandwiches include grilled chicken breast and bratwurst. Cheeseburgers and hot dogs can also be piled high with Dave’s chili.Kids meals are available with applesauce, chips and a juice box on the side. Trail treats are also included on the menu for a lighter snack. Farris hopes to use local farms to offer fresh produce and fruit on his menu.“We weren’t going to have snow cones, but we have had so many ask us that we are also including them on the menu,” said Emily Farris.Chocolate and vanilla soft ice cream will be available as sundaes, floats, milk shakes, banana splits and cones.Camping on the grounds will be available to people coming through on the Katy Trail for $12 per night. Showers, towels, bathrooms and certain personal items will be offered to overnight guests.Bikes also will be for rent at $5 an hour or $15 for the whole day. For two or more bikes, the rate decreases to $4 per hour and $12 per day. A surrey bike that holds four is also available for groups at $10 per hour or $35 for the day.Dave’s KT Caboose will be open Thursdays through Mondays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. During normal operation, it will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, excluding opening day on March 22.Farris hopes to add a handicapped ramp sometime this summer. In the future, he plans to add more decking and some inside seating. He hopes to be able to host small weddings or reunions on the grounds.For more information, visit www.facebook/davesktcaboose or give Dave a call at 636-433-2616.Dave Farris and his daughter Emily will open the KT Caboose Wednesday, March 22. Dave's special barbeque will be added to the menu of sandwiches and ice cream. Bike rentals and camping will also be available. Dave's KT Caboose will be open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A grand opening will be held Saturday, April 1. Cindy Gladden photo.
