From Storage Unit To Festival Fave: The Little Margarita Wagon’s Rise In Vancouver

Small Business Month just got a whole lot tastier—meet Rita, the custom-built mobile bar behind The Little Margarita Wagon. Founded by friends Jen Vollrath and Marli McGaw in 2023, this Vancouver-born pop-up turned local favorite mixes community-first margaritas, sustainably sourced ingredients and festival-ready vibes—all run out of a clever self-storage HQ. Read our playful Q&A with the duo to learn how they built a booming mobile bar from friendship, grit, and a seriously good recipe. —Noa Nichol

Tell us the Rita origin story: what started as a late-night idea became a full-on mobile bar — what was the exact moment you realized “we can actually do this”?

Ahhh yes, the birth story of Rita our two-wheeled goddess of good times and great cocktails. So here’s how it went down … We’d been tossing around business ideas for a while, dreaming about ditching the 9-to-5 and building something fun, fabulous, and totally ours. Nothing had really clicked … until one fateful night, sometime around 2am, when the universe tapped Jen on the shoulder and went:

“Hey. It’s time. Go build a bar on wheels.”

Dramatic? Maybe. Accurate? Absolutely.

Jen sat up, wide-eyed, and immediately texted Marli because that’s what you do when you’ve just had a divine margarita-fueled vision. The text came in before sunrise, and by the time coffee number two had hit, the idea of Rita was fully born. No turning back now.

We had no trailer, no blueprint, no name just a wild idea, a shared dream, and enough caffeine to power a small village. Fast forward less than a year, and Rita was real. Like, actually real. Glossy, gorgeous, and fully equipped to serve joy by the glass.

That “we can actually do this” moment?

It wasn’t just one, it was every step that made her more real. From trailer designing and customizing, visiting her as she took shape, bartending school, from scribbling drink names on napkins to rolling up with Rita for her first gig, we kept saying, “Wait… we’re really doing this. We did it!”

And honestly? We still say that. Every. Single. Event. When a 2am idea turns into a full-blown business. That’s pure magic, baby.

Rita is basically a neighbourhood legend — what’s the quirkiest or most memorable event you’ve served at so far?

This question is like asking us to pick our favourite child or our favourite margarita (equally impossible, by the way). Because honestly? Every single event we do is totally unique, and unforgettable in its own way. Like magical snowflakes.

We’ve done small corporate parties and rolled into the most picture-perfect wedding in the valley.

We shook up 500 margaritas in one weekend at the Granville Block Party. FIVE. HUNDRED. Our arms were basically professional maraca players by the end of it. It was a full-blown block party vibe music pumping, people dancing, margarita magic flying left, right, and centre. Rita absolutely thrived in the chaos (and so did we). We got to see the City of Vancouver embrace something awesome, alcohol allowed in a larger designated area! It was a huge step for public events and we were thrilled to be part of it.

Celebrity Golf Tournament? Don’t mind if we do. Yup, we’ve even rubbed elbows (and poured tequila) for Canucks and Blue Jays legends. Sports icons in polos, sipping our signature margaritas mid-fairway. Casual flex? Maybe. Totally unforgettable? Absolutely.

Up next we’re part of a Halloween party fundraiser at a Catholic school, which feels like the start of a sitcom we’d definitely watch. We don’t know exactly what to expect, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: when Rita rolls up, the party will deliver. Even if there’s a nun in a witch hat.

The truth is, we live for these moments. Big or small, fancy or funky we love meeting people, shaking things up (literally), and creating unforgettable experiences that keep everyone coming back for more. It’s this beautiful snowball effect one margarita at a time.

You run a full bar out of a custom wagon — what’s one behind-the-scenes secret or hack every customer would be surprised to learn?

Want a little peek behind the curtain? Here’s a juicy secret (pun very intended): we do it all from scratch. We juice everything by hand, dehydrate our own garnishes, and whip up our own syrups like cocktail alchemists in a tiny rolling lab.

And behind the bar? It’s not just business, it’s a full-blown competition. We turn everything into a game: who’s the fastest? Who can sling the most drinks? It keeps us on our toes and makes the whole experience way more fun for us and for you.

Self-storage as HQ is pure ingenuity—how has renting space changed the way you operate, and what tips do you have for other founders considering storage

Oh yes, welcome to HQ: Storage Unit Edition, and honestly? It’s our happy place. Every time we roll up to our Maple Leaf Self Storage (MLSS) unit, open that door, and see all our neatly organized gear, there’s this audible “ahhhh” and a little spark of joy.

Having a storage space with MLSS has been a total game-changer. We know exactly where everything is, we’re way more efficient, and it’s made scaling up a breeze. However, it’s not just about being efficient. There’s a sense of accomplishment. Seeing how much space we now need, how much gear we’ve added, it’s a visual reminder of how far we’ve come and how much our business is growing.

Our tip? Don’t skimp on storage. A well-organized space = a well-oiled biz. Bonus points if it makes you feel like a total boss every time you walk in.

Your menu focuses on local, sustainable ingredients — what’s one B.C. supplier you’re obsessed with right now and why?

We are obsessed with B.C.’s local Farmers Markets, from Vancouver to the Interior to the Island. It’s like a cocktail treasure hunt wherever we go!  The best part? Every vendor is a small biz, just like us.

Every market is packed with amazing small businesses, local distilleries, fresh produce, handcrafted syrups you name it. We get to taste, chat, and dream up new drinks on the spot. We’re always on the lookout for fun new flavours and local collabs.

If you grow it, brew it, or infuse it we want to hear from you. And yes, we’re still on a mission to make a next-level black garlic cocktail. Challenge accepted.

Tell us about a cocktail on your menu that perfectly captures The Little Margarita Wagon vibe — what’s in it and what’s the story behind the name?

Ah yes, the cocktail that totally captures The Little Margarita Wagon vibe? It’s gotta be our classic Lime Margarita. The one that started it all and still reigns supreme as the Queen of Cocktails.

In the name of research, we’ve tried a lot of margaritas (trust us, it’s a tough job). But for us, nothing beats the simple perfection of fresh lime juice, quality 100% blue agave tequila, and that unmistakable crisp, clean flavour you can taste in every sip. It’s our benchmark, our gold standard, our OG.

That said, we love to shake things up, literally, by adding a little kick with our jalapeño-infused syrup. It gives you that perfect tsunami of heat and flavour dancing on your tongue. Because sometimes, even a queen needs to spice things up with a dance partner.

Running a mobile food/bev biz demands creativity and flexibility — what’s been the biggest logistical challenge and how did you solve it (bonus points for a funny workaround)?

Running a mobile bevvy biz? Let’s just say it’s not for the faint of heart or the easily flustered. You’ve gotta be flexible, creative, and occasionally… a little unhinged.

Our biggest logistical challenge, a.k.a. the Great Rita Key Debacle of Doom.

We designed and built our beloved Rita from way out East. We went a couple of times during the build process. She was delivered on a flatbed truck, all shiny and full of promise, arriving on a Wednesday with our very first event booked for Saturday. Cue the confetti! (And maybe a few nervous sweats.)

We were so hyped, we’d even rented a U-Haul to practice towing and parking a trailer. Total keeners. Total professionals. Ready to roll.

Then… we asked the driver for the keys. And he said: “What keys?”

Yep. Rita showed up locked tight, no keys, no paperwork, nada. Turns out somewhere in the middle of the prairies, they’d switched trucks and forgot to hand over the goods. So there she sat our beautiful bar-on-wheels completely inaccessible. We couldn’t clean her, prep her, or even look inside to figure out what we needed.

Insert full-blown panic.

Fast forward through two days of frantic phone calls, mild hyperventilating, and definitely not sleeping, but we finally got the keys just in time. We got her insured, hitched her up, and rolled into our very first event in a freezing rainstorm. We were like two caffeinated raccoons running on adrenaline.

Moral of the story?

Always expect the unexpected, laugh through the chaos, and never ever assume the keys are coming with the delivery.

We wouldn’t change a thing. It’s all part of the wild, wonderful, slightly wacky world of mobile business life.

How do you build community at events — do you have any rituals, signage, or games that always get people chatting and coming back?

We don’t do cookie-cutter. Every event is personalized, zhuzhed, and sprinkled with our signature Rita magic. Whether it’s a backyard wedding, corporate soirée, or street fest, we tailor everything to fit the moment.

And yes, we absolutely rename our drinks to match the theme. But the real joy? It’s seeing our customers’ faces light up when they spot their favourite cocktail named just for them or their event. That “OMG, that’s me!” moment? We live for it.

It’s quirky, it’s personal, and it gets people chatting like old friends. Whether it’s named after a guest of honour or a beloved local landmark, it’s one of our favourite ways to make every event feel extra special and a whole lot more fun.

Rita herself? She’s a total chameleon. We deck her out with custom magnets so she reps your brand, your moment. She’s not just a bar, she’s part of the celebration (and yes, she’s ridiculously photogenic).

But the real magic? It’s in the connections. We chat, we laugh, we remember names. Whether you’re a first-timer or someone who found us at last year’s event, we keep it personal and people keep coming back. Building community starts with real, face-to-face moments.

Let’s not forget the secret sauce: a damn good beverage. People come for the drinks, stay for the conversation, and leave with a smile.

It’s the trifecta: great product, stellar service, unforgettable experience.

And because building community goes beyond the bar, we also pay it forward by donating tickets to Canucks games and Vancouver’s new PWHL team to small and local charities. Because meaningful moments shouldn’t stop when the party ends.

We don’t just build community we shake it, stir it, and serve it in a garnished glass.

For other small-business hopefuls watching you this Small Business Month—what are three practical, no-nonsense pieces of advice you’d give them today?

For all you dreamers, doers, and cocktail-connoisseur-in-the-making types watching us this Small Business Month pull up a barstool, because we’re serving up three practical, no-nonsense tips (with a twist of lime, of course):

1. School’s cool, seriously.

Before we cannonballed into the entrepreneur pool, we didn’t just dip a toe we went full sponge-mode. We hit up bartending school to perfect our pour (because if you’re slingin’ margs, you better know your stuff), and took entrepreneurial courses to get our business brains firing on all cylinders. Bottom line: whether it’s a formal class or YouTube at 2am, never stop learning. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.

2. Plan like you mean it.

A dream without a plan is just a really pretty nap. We learned early that passion is great but a solid business plan? That’s the GPS that keeps you from getting lost in the sauce.

We got to know the municipal and provincial health regulations inside and out. We made sure our beloved Rita was being built to meet every requirement, because nothing kills a dream like a permit problem.

Map out your goals, know your numbers and learn the rules.

3. Don’t forget to have a blast.

This one’s big. We got into a business that we absolutely love. Our joy shows up in every cocktail we make, every event we do, and every late-night cleanup dance party. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point? Life’s too short for boring jobs and bad drinks.

So go on educate yourself, plan like a boss, and make sure you’re loving every messy moment.

Dream big: if Rita could roll into any festival, venue or city tomorrow (real or fictional), where would you go and what would you serve to celebrate?

Don’t get us wrong, we love Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. This is home, and the community here has been everything. But if we had a big, sparkly, sky’s-the-limit kinda dream…

Picture this: Rita hitched to a vintage 1969 Ford Bronco, disco lights flashing, rolling into Lilith Fair: Reimagined. A powerhouse, all-female, feel-good music festival making its glorious comeback and sweeping across Canada like a glittery tornado of empowerment and guitar riffs.

Rita would be the official Margarita Roadie (obviously). Parked front and centre at every venue. We’d be shaking up our legendary margaritas (and yes, they are legendary, ask anyone who’s had one or two or three).

Each city would be a celebration of women, music, and margarita-fuelled memories. And Rita? She’d be the vibe curator, the taste-maker, and the ultimate road trip bestie.

Rita was born for the spotlight.