Parke County native enjoys success with latest business endeavor

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 12:37 PM

By Paul Gable

For Hunner Shirley, hobbies are one thing that keeps the Parke Heritage graduate busy.

Her latest hobby -- Hunner's Waterin Hole -- has turned into a very lucrative business endeavor, as she has been taking her mobile drink trailer all around West Central Indiana.

"I graduated from Parke Heritage High School in 2020 and attended college in Terre Haute. Since then, I have a full time job, but I like to dabble in hobbies on the side. The Waterin Hole is a mobile drink trailer, and I serve dirty sodas, flavored lemonades, energy drinks, and, sometimes, I like to add cold brew coffee. I definitely keep busy," Shirley told The Parke County Post.

Shirley said the mobile drink trailer has taken off more than she anticipated, adding that while the drinks are a new "fad," her business features something for everyone.

"It has been overwhelming. I knew I had a bunch of support, and, quite honestly, I went two months before I created a Facebook page. Hopefully, I can keep growing in that area. It has been something that has grown out of nowhere, and it is a fad thing right now. I don't think it is going away anytime soon, and it is a great thing that targets all audiences. I have the energy drinks that parents love to grab and all the kids love the fun flavored lemonades and sodas," she said.

Once Shirley opened her trailer, people immediately wanted to book her.

"I had no time for events. Once I created that Facebook page, it has been crazy the amount of people who have reached out. It has been very overwhelming, and so exciting. I set up at the Parke County Fair a couple weeks ago, and it was great seeing so many faces and people coming out to support. It really filled my heart," she said.

She admits to being surprised with how quickly her business has taken off.

"I just got in the trailer and I started creating. I made the drink the way I would like it made, and the response has been crazy. I knew it would catch people's eyes, but some people have some questions about the drinks. It is great, and I think the people love the mobile aspect and being able to travel around for the drinks. Being in the trailer is my happy place," Shirley said.

For more information or to find where the trailer will be, visit Hunner's Waterin' Hole on Facebook.