Thread 2938336

Hello fellow /dyi/ers

I'm looking to start a coffee stand for events on the weekends such as open markets, farmers markets, and wherever else I can fit in.

has anyone (successfully) attempted to make a coffee stand and sell coffee?
How did it go?
Did it take long to take off?
where are you located?
>europoors need no apply

It is a jorney I'd like to share here. In case it doesn't work, I'll become an statistic.

>>2938336 (OP)
>europoors need no apply
ok

>>2938336 (OP)
You too can become a street vendor. You just need about $30k for permits and then you get to start spending the real money on equipment.

>>2938347
God. I love paying taxes

>>2938336 (OP)
There was a guy in my college town who started with a coffee cart and ended up flipping it into an actual brick and mortar.

He would cold-brew (that was sorta his gimmick) concentrate at home. -So like 2oz of the concentrate cold brew would make a whole cup of coffee with water added. Then on his cart he only needed 1 giant pot of hot water, some ice, a pot of cold water and the chilled concentrate. With 3 big pots he could make hot and cold coffee on the spot without having to actively brew it on-site, cuts down on overhead, regulations, etc.

When he started it was coffee only, also cuts down on overhead/everything. With a setup like this you really only need one heater/warmer to keep your 1 hot item safe, some ice/mini cold table to keep your other 2 items safely cold, and a sanitizer bucket and some gloves. Obv cups, lids, creamer, sugar, sleeves, other bullshit are needed but those are consumables.

If you have any experience dealing with food safety you could prob easily do this sorta operation on the up and up. Not saying it'll def be profitable, but honestly a coffee cart is gonna have a leg up on food vendors vis-a-vi equipment, staff, input costs, etc.

>>2938375
oh that's pretyy smart.
I was looking for a spresso machine but they're like $3k-5k.
Found a nice bar stand for $1k, then I need to figure out how to power up the electronics ( coffee maker, fridge, spresso machine ).
I guess I'm looking to spend like $10k to begin

>>2938375
An industrial heat exchange water cooler might be too expensive to bother and possibly not hot/cold enough but might be really cool if it works

>>2938385
there's also the issue of power supply. I need something compact. I aint carrying no power generator.

>>2938464
I'd do some calculations to figure the size of solar panels I'd need to run my cooler and see if that would be reasonable to put on the roof of the cart. Maybe push it a little bigger by making the roof tri fold and unfold it when you get somewhere

If not that then I guess you'd be looking at batteries

>>2938464
Derp. And. That >>2938385
Style of heater/Cooler is actually the more efficient choice. It's like an AC unit. One side is hot and the other is cold. Dunno if hot would actually get hot enough for coffee drinkers. The cold is pleasant

>>2938467
oh that's pretty smart!
I'm gonna start looking into solar panels too.

>>2938468
I'd probably use the warm water for noodle cups kek.
I know there are commercial thermos or whatever they're called. They can hold hot water for hours.
I've been surprised on how good they're thermically sealed

>>2938336 (OP)
you should just have a stand that sells carbonated water to cute girls to get them to burp.

>>2938496
I'll do it for free

>>2938383
Oh just to add, he would also sell concentrate straight as like coffe shots; or, you could add another shot to your coffee for another 2 bucks or something. I mention it cause that's how he got around doing espresso/methods that require more complex equipment. The concentrate took the place of espresso until he expanded.

I think he did end up adding lattes and some other drinks to the cart though. -But typically pretty basic drinks until he rented a small shop

>>2938599
any idea arouns how many drinks and what were they?
i'm thinking just the general drinks:
>americano
>espresso

damn that's all that comes to mind. I aint even know the difference between a latte and a matte

>>2938599
and I'm looking to get a spresso machine, I can spend a couple thousands for something decent.

Imma go ask at the coffee brew /generals/ for reccomendations, unless anyone here got something, I'd appreciate the help

>>2938347
>see hotdog cart for cheap
>you need insurance
>"what does hotdog cart insurance cover"
>you just need to give us $8000 a year ok

>>2938347
>>2938660
>street vendor
yeah no
I'd rather sell overpriced coffee to broke college students....I guess it's the same