LEWISBURG, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – On Monday, Jan. 25, Son’s-Sational Cinnamon Rolls, a State Fair staple that draws hundreds to the fairgrounds each year, returned to its usual location on Maplewood Ave, officially rolling in to the first week of its 2021 street vending season.
Raymond Naeyaert- a 15-year cinnamon roll-making veteran who co-owns the third-generation business with his brother, Nathan Naeyaert- expressed his excitement to be back in West Virginia.
“For me personally, it feels great to be back…We love coming to Lewisburg. It is a beautiful town, and we get to do what we love, and that’s coming here and offering great product.”
According to Naeyaert, his father, David Naeyaert, who retired from the cinnamon roll business last year, started street vending eight years ago. While street vending has always been a great way to continue business outside of the regular fair season, last year, it became the business’ only source of revenue when all fairs and festivals were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As COVID hit and impacted us, we were quite concerned. Now, we can see after all the fairs had been canceled that this has been a blessing in disguise. We are still allowed to set up as long as it’s to-go, then it fits within the standards and guidelines for COVID. Last year, when our two fairs were canceled, we decided to change our dates to accommodate to fill those dates in with street vending.”
Although Son’s-Sational Cinnamon Rolls was able to street vend for most of 2020, it was not enough to compensate for the revenue lost from the cancellation of West Virginia’s State Fair.
“We are normally steady here, but we are not really busy. During the fair, we would have a two-hour line to get rolls, which is surprising for us. The fair is a hard one to make up. At the fair, we are open for 10 days, and those are 13-hour days with a line that is non-stop. The way we look at it, we are blessed to have a job and be open, but in comparison to the fair, it’s not even close.”
While talking with Lootpress, Naeyaert wanted his customers to know that, although the family business has been passed to his brother and him, nothing has changed or will change.
“People always wonder if the rolls are going to change. I’ve been here the whole time, and it’s been the same thing that my dad taught us, which is consistency, quality and integrity in what you do.”
Since his brother lives in northern Michigan and he lives in Northern California, Naeyaert is thankful for the time they are able to spend together while street vending.
“I think it’s really amazing to pass on something my dad has worked so hard to build,” he said, adding that his family has been in the cinnamon roll business for nearly four decades. “My brother and I are really proud to continue that.”
Son’s-Sational Cinnamon Rolls will continue to sell rolls in Lewisburg until Sunday, Jan. 31. From there, they will travel to South Boston, Virginia, for another week of street vending.
The business will return to Maplewood Ave to street vend at the end of May and will be selling rolls at the 2021 State Fair of West Virginia this summer.
“We really appreciate all of our loyal customers each year coming out and supporting us. We really deeply appreciate that.”
Rolls are priced at $8 for one roll or $90 for a special baker’s dozen (13 rolls).
Visit Son’s-Sational Cinnamon Rolls on Facebook for more information