Photo credit: Calin & Bisous
In the early mornings, before the sun has risen and commuters are making their trek to work, The Coffee Trike pedals by, on its way to offer its service to coffee-starved early birds.
The man peddling by on the sleek mahogany brown trike with the black awning pulled down to protect the valuable espresso equipment is Alessandro “San” Bellino, café aficionado. Originally from Australia, he came to Boston to study at Berklee and in 2011 was a United States Barista Championship competitor. Soon after competing, he decided to open up his own coffee shop, but the location was a no-go.
“I wanted to own a coffee shop for a really long time,” he said. “My first job was at a café/coffee shop.”
So he took his business to the streets, bringing his services to “a sidewalk near you.”
With the food trunk industry booming in the Boston area, Bellino opted for the mobile coffee business. While it’s hugely popular in Germany and the Netherlands, Bellino would open the first mobile coffee shop in the Boston/Cambridge area.
He approached the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center with his business ideas. A year and a half later, Bellino officially launched his first venue in January 2013 at the Cambridge Winters Farmers Market; in April 2013, he went full-time.
When an application opened up in Dewey Square, he took the trike to the Greenway, riding to and from Central Square every day. “It’s good fun,” he says, remarking that the mobile food community has been equally appreciative of the Coffee Trike. “They love the environmental aspect.”
The Coffee Trike is committed to sustainable business practices and supporting local business in the Boston community.
The no-frills, high-quality menu features coffee roasted by the George Howell Coffee Company in Acton and milk from Mapleline Farm in Hadley, Mass. And there are soy and skim options, too. All paper goods are biodegradable and compostable. The drinks are prepared using a full espresso bar. He even has a cooler stashed under the trike to serve summer-loving drinks like iced coffee. Espressos, cappuccinos, macchiatos and the like sell around $3; a fine price for superb tasting café.
The Coffee Trike also has a loyal customer punch card, which offers “buy six/get one free.” It draws customers back, and Bellino admits, “I love it when people come back. I love filling out a punch car for someone. It’s really encouraging.”
The Coffee Trike is often in Dewey Square on The Greenway in Boston during the week, then frequenting the SOWA Open Market every Sunday until October 27. The environment at the SOWA Market, Bellino syas, is like one big outdoor café.
“People buy their food at the food trucks, they buy their coffee at the Coffee Trike, and everyone sits around. It’s like a big festival every Sunday.”
Forget instant coffee or chain coffee shops. Today the ultimate convenience means the finest espresso coming around the corner to you. It’s the adult fantasy of an ice-cream truck. But better.
THE COFFEE TRIKE. @THECOFFEETRIKE. THECOFFEETRIKE.COM.
