“Excuse me, madam, would you please be so kind as to bring me a spot of rum? I would like to have a drink.”

Perhaps not rum, but since the beginning of March 2009, Coffee Pirate has been serving Fairtrade, organic and relationship coffees from ‘Java Queen’, its adapted mini-motorhome, to the commuters of Cambridge, Wisconsin, USA.

Coffee Pirate is the brainchild of Sydney Krieger, who came up with the idea while holidaying in New Zealand when she saw coffee being sold from a sports utility vehicle (SUV). She had wanted to open a coffee shop for years, but didn’t want the overheads of a fixed location, especially in this financial climate, and so hunted down a 1978 Toyota Chinook mini-motorhome and had it extensively refitted to include a galley-style kitchen that incorporates a cooker, refrigerator and espresso machine – all powered by propane or an electric generator. This resulted in a vehicle capable of serving the perfect cup of espresso literally in the middle of nowhere. Oh, Java Queen was also sprayed black and had the corporate ‘skull and crossbone’ logo (a cup and crossed spoons) adorned across the bonnet – the quirky, fun pirate theme is impossible to miss …! Gar!

Bestcuppaintown caught up with Capt’n Sydney and we asked her some questions about Coffee Pirate.

So, obvious question really – why pirate?

Actually there were several reasons, first and foremost independence. Just as pirates were the first privateers for independent business (although their methods were a bit dicey) they were free and moved around. I like the idea of being able to go place to place instead of a fixed location. Travelling merchant, coffee gypsy, etc., didn’t seem as catchy. I was also really please with the cool logo of a cup with crossed spoons! For several years my husband was a pirate in a Ren Faire – and I also kinda ‘pirated’ the idea from someone else…! Something with a theme is more fun and it gives people a chance to have a bit of a laugh.

Tell us about the good ship Java Queen

Java Queen is a 1978 Toyota Chinook mini-motorhome. I bought the vehicle with this idea in mind. I searched for a vehicle that would be the right size for me to handle, not be hugely obtrusive, looked interesting and could get decent gas mileage. I wanted an older vehicle, something I could recycle and give new life to. I found the Toyota online when I was searching for other vehicles and loved the shape of it. It has a 4-cylinder engine with relatively low mileage for its age and the window configuration was perfect for walk up or drive up. It was not easy – and quite pricey – to convert, even though I used as much from the original vehicle as I could; but I had to take into account health department regulations, practicality and even the odd shape of it. It required thinking out of the box, literally, to make it all work.

You use Fairtrade, organic, and recyclable products. Does this attract new custom?

Maybe. I prefer to operate in this manner because it is the right thing to do ecologically and my products (coffee, chocolate, etc.) not only encourage fair trade, but are, I believe, the best available. I’m VERY picky about my coffee. If that is not of a first concern to my customers, hopefully they will just like the taste of it!

We appreciate you are limited for space, but have you any plans to extend the range of products you offer, to include (for example) sandwiches, cakes, etc.

Probably not too much, except for special catering events when requested by the client. I have limited room, plus it’s better to do a few things really well than try and do everything. Coffee is what I do. I have tea, cocoa, etc., and in the warmer weather iced drinks and Italian sodas. I have a friend who wants to try crepes with Nutella, but that would only be for fairs and festivals. My baker makes fabulous biscotti and we are working on shortbread as well. Keep it simple, right?

How many people make up Coffee Pirate? Do you have any plans to increase your fleet of Coffee Pirate vehicles?

So far it’s just me – though I have help at special events. But yes I absolutely have plans to expand, but right now I am a flotilla of one. I plan to franchise, so people who want an independent business opportunity can avail themselves of a unique way to earn a living. I am already looking around for another vehicle, but I don’t think I will do anything serious until late autumn when I have a little down time.

What’s your most popular product?

Different days, different folks like certain things. Surprisingly my ‘treasure chest’ has received a lot of attention (latte with flavour of butter rum, hazelnut and caramel). My coffee is made French press style, so that also goes quite well. All in all about 50/50 for café drinks and regular cups of coffee.

How is business, considering we’re in the throes of a credit crisis?

I started this in the midst of economic troubles. If I make it through, yay! I think people may give up some of their big pleasures, the more expensive ones, but keep the little ones such as a really good cup of joe or a nice cappuccino. My goal is to provide the best I can for their money – because they deserve it. AND if you bring your own mug, you get a quarter off (.25)! The idea is to keep the overhead low, move to where the business is best and provide the best service and product available. And hope everyone has a good time as well!

Bestcuppaintown wants to thank Coffee Pirate for taking time out of its busy day to talk to us, and we want to wish Coffee Pirate a prosperous future – we salute innovative, fun, business ventures. Java Queen docks at Deerfield (7-11am, near library) each Monday and Wednesday, Cambridge (6-10am, near junction of Highways 12 and 18) every Tuesday and Thursday, and Fort Atkinson (7-11am, Ace Hardware parking lot) each Friday. Unsurprisingly, June 5-7 this year, they’ll be attending the Pirate Festival in Fort Washington!

106 E. North Street

Cambridge, WI 53523

USA

www.coffeepirate.net