Road Trip Coffee Co. opens its doors in Montezuma

​       Juli Stanford and Dave Bral, owners of the newly opened Road Trip Coffee Co. at 100 S. 2nd St. (at the southwest corner of 2nd and Main Streets) in Montezuma are ready to serve the community and area. The business offers a variety of coffees, energy drinks, expresso drinks, sweet treats and much more. The drive-through coffee shop is open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Saturday.

By J.O. Parker
 
           Are you thirsty for an expresso, cup of brewed or iced coffee or an energy drink?
       The newly opened Road Trip Coffee Co. at 100 S. 2nd St. (at the southwest corner of 2nd and Main Streets) has what you need and more.
          Owned and operated by Juli Stanford and Dave Bral, the business opened its doors on Saturday, June 8.
          “The first day was wild,” said Stanford. “People were backed into the street.”
      The couple decided to open the business after running a successful coffee shop, West Side Java, in Newton. That business was sold to a local Newton resident.
         The new coffee shop offers drive through and walk-up options. There is no indoor seating available, but there is a gazebo with benches for outdoor seating.
        The menu includes expresso drinks, Lotus energy drinks, hot, iced blended drinks, brewed coffee, iced coffee and cold brewed, frappe’s, smoothies, lemonade, mocha’s, latte’s, assorted milks with oat, almond and coconut milks, hot chocolate and a variety of sweet treats such as muffins, scones, cookies, lemon breads and edible cookie bites.
         Drink and sweet treat prices range from $3 - $9. Drink sizes range from 16 ounce to 32 ounce.
         “If someone brings their dog, we give them a pup cup,” said Stanford. “It’s whip cream with a treat.”
       The couple said they were approached by several people who encouraged them to open the drive-through coffee house business.
        When they decided to move forward with the project, the couple approached Capra Bank, owners of the land, about opening a coffee shop on the empty lot.
        “They (Capra Bank) were excited that we were doing something for the community,” said Bral.
     The 14-foot by 24-foot portable building was constructed in Riverside by Premier Buildings. Bushong Construction of Montezuma helped with installation of the building.
         Colton Maschmann did the concrete work and Steel Excavating installed the water and sewer lines. 
         “We did much of the other work ourselves,” said Stanford.
         The couple decided on the name, Road Trip Coffee Co., because of the location being close to Highway 63 and ease of access in and out of the building.
          “I thought going on a road trip for coffee was a good name,” said Stanford.
          The business is open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday – Saturday.
       Bral takes orders and runs the register. Stanford mixes and pours the drinks along with a part-time helper from Brooklyn and former employee at Center Ground Coffee Shop.
          “We even have a mascot,” said Stanford with a smile. “His name is Earl the Squirrel.”
          The business can be reached at 641-501-6060.