Hills Snack Bar food truck gets OK from health inspector

The return of the Hills Snack Bar is now one step closer to becoming reality.

Just last year, Jason Powell of Aliquippa revealed he was bringing back a version of the famed snack bar from Hills department stores in the form of a food truck. On Tuesday, Powell announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has given his truck a clean bill of health.

He shared the good news on his venture’s Facebook page.

“Today was a very exciting day,” Powell wrote. “A moment we’ve been anticipating for a while. … We had our Department of Agriculture “Health Inspection” and we are pleased to finally announce that we are Certified to operate!!!!”

Powell said further details — as in when and where the grand opening will be — are yet to come.

The post quickly generated dozens of comments and pleas for the food truck to visit a variety of locations.

In an interview with WTAE last year, Powell said his plan is to take the truck to former Hills locations. “The response has been nothing but positive,” he said. “Everybody that I’ve ever talked to has nothing but great things and memories about Hills, so to be able to bring that back to the community, it’s heartwarming.”

And the snack bar is what most people seem to recall fondly.

“It drew you right in,” Powell told WTAE. “The popcorn, the hot dogs, the pretzels, all just mixed in, and it’s unforgettable.”

According to posts on the Facebook page, Powell’s food truck looks like it will be equipped with an ICEE machine, nachos, hot dogs and other snacks.

Hills started in 1957 and lasted until 1999, when it was bought out by Ames.

Until the snack bar truck makes its debut, you can always bring back the memories with a candle from Sugar Creek Candle Co.