
We’ve finished the electricity! We may have gone just a little overboard but there’s a lot of outlets. If anyone needs anything plugged in when they visit, let us know. >_< Since a lot of food trucks use generators or outside power, there was a 220v port on the outside of the trailer. However, we’ve gone in a different direction and purchased two large batteries which we can charge between events. They’ll sit under the countertops below the electric panel. This is a silent power source and also means there is no hauling or lifting of heavy generators. So far we’ve used the batteries at tent events and have been please with their performance! Eventually we will need to add a third battery to power an espresso machine, but for now we’re focusing on cold brew lattes and hot coffee until we get ourselves into a rhythm.
We’ve also put up the lights! These LED strips were a great find at Lowe’s. They offer a variety of color temperatures and are also dimmable, so we’ve put them on two separate dimmer switches for full customizable lighting options. We anticipate the row over the coffee counter needing a bit more than the row over the serving counter, but we’ll see. They were dang hard to get up onto the ceiling because of the curved ceiling and having all the wiring inside the lights instead of inside the ceiling, so let’s hope they don’t need much maintenance.

We’ve had the trailer in a garage space here in the village (Thanks, Patrick!) for tear-out and painting, but needed to get it closer to our tools and shop during the cabinet construction. Now that the electric is finished (just need to add wall plates) the plumbing is next. We know where the tanks and pumps and sinks will go so it will be a matter of fitting the hoses and pipes to the space. Guess there will be a little playing by ear on that. After that, cabinets and countertops! The counters are finished and curing (photo to follow) and looking glassy. I think we’re all pleased with the progress.
This week, however, things are a little on hold as Steve had a family matter to take care of out of town, and Nancy and Jan prepared for a tent event here in Mantua. Art on the Hill is put on by the DMRC and it’s a great small-business street fair. We’re prepping nearly 50lbs of coffee beans this year between our bagged roasts and the coffee we intend to brew! Last year Steve did well selling bagged coffee, but the hot cups were not quite so popular. We’re hoping our cold brew lattes will be a popular product this year, especially since it looks like it’s shaping up to be a real hot July Saturday!