Couple transforms 1970s camper into solar-powered mobile coffee shop

Caldwell, Idaho The Ridge Espresso and Soda, a distinctive mobile coffee shop located in a fully restored 1974 Bell Coach camper, began as a modest espresso machine at home.

Tristan Stufflebeam, who repairs beverage systems for Coca-Cola, and his wife Stacy have always enjoyed coffee and aspired to start their own company. When their debt began to mount, they made the decision to make their love their career.

See the Stufflebeams’ coffee company journey by watching now.

After renovating a horse trailer, the pair started serving coffee at local establishments and festivals. They decided to get more active in the community after learning about local communities through their kids’ activities.

In the Treasure Valley, they would park the trailer at various establishments, auto shows, and other gatherings.

The Stufflebeams carry on with their coffee dreams, but the couple eventually sold that horse trailer to another couple in Kuna who still uses it.

Tristan purchased the 1974 Bell Coach camper almost a year and a half ago with the assumption that he would just require a few little repairs. But because the old camper was in such bad shape, he had to start over and totally rebuild it.

Tristan made sure the mobile shop would smell more like a coffee shop than an old camper by replacing rotten materials with pine and maple wood.

He clarified that “the smell is part of the experience in coffee shops,” adding that he didn’t want the dilapidated camper to ruin the atmosphere and that coffee shop scents are crucial.

During a camping trip to Stanley last summer, when the Wapiti Fire was raging nearby, the idea for the moving coffee cart was born. Tristan was inspired by a college classmate who battled wildfires to pay for school and by seeing firefighters work in challenging circumstances.

“I mean they’re doing a lot of work and the least we could do is to try to get something together that we could actually bring the coffee to them, bring it right up to them where their tents are and when… if we have to be up at 3 in the morning to serve them coffee, I’m hoping that we are able to do that service for them,” Stufflebeam commented.

According to Stacy Stufflebeam, the cart will run solely on solar power, which aids in both mobility and atmosphere.

“And the other part is sound, and we really didn’t want to have like a big generator… making loud noises while we’re trying to make coffee – kind of ruins the whole atmosphere,” added Stacy.

As his children grew older, Tristan, who had a conventional 8 to-5 job, felt he was missing out. A job transition and an opportunity to serve the community while spending more time with family are both represented by the mobile coffee business.

Idaho patriotism and the couple’s faith have been at the heart of every stage of the endeavor. They intend to collaborate with other local companies and give their establishments a small-town throwback vibe.

“The love that we have for coffee to have the love for our community that we have, um, is more of the love that Christ has for us,” said Tristan.

With plans to play indie folk music alongside their coffee, the company hopes to unite people via more than simply coffee.

“Coffee tastes nice. Even if you don’t enjoy coffee, we’ll still have soda since coffee unites people. There are Italian sodas and other things that you might enjoy. We want that togetherness, so we want something for everyone. “We want to reunite that community,” Tristan stated.

Despite residing in Middleton, the Stufflebeams are very active in Caldwell and Star, taking into account all localities. Tristan has strong ties to Caldwell because he was born and reared there.

In order to assist other Idaho businesses and preserve quality, the pair intends to acquire their milk, eggs, and coffee beans locally.

By the end of the year, the Ridge Espresso and Soda is anticipated to be open to the public. Individuals can monitor their development on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.