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Permalink Reply by Marek on May 26, 2010 at 10:05am

Strong possibility that espresso machine is 220v electric. Carts as a rule come in two flavors, either you anchor them and plug them in or they have a generator and produce their own power.

Google 'coffee cart' and look on eBAY for information for coffee cart... that will answer a lot of your questions.

Final thought, you can't just park that thing and do business. You need to look into health department requirements (sometimes require a triple sink) and also what the licensing requirements might be.

Here is a link to one I find interesting

http://cgi.ebay.com/EXPRESSO-COFFEE-KIOSK-CART-EQUIPMENT-/250632746...

I just Goggled... Atlanta... street vendor permit and got this... don't be afraid to use it and all the best.

Marek


For any business, you will need a standard business license. If you are going to be a " Street Vendor" (like a cart or trailer) you will also need a Street Vendors permit from the City. If you are going to be selling food or other items for consumption, you will also need a Health and Sanitary permit as well as a food handlers permit, as well as having your cart or trailer inspected.

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Permalink Reply by Wellerfan on May 26, 2010 at 10:21am

http://www.coffeecartbiz.com/

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Permalink Reply by Bryan Wray on May 26, 2010 at 11:06am

Use search terms like 'mobile,' 'catering,' 'coffee cart,' etc in the search box on the top right of this page (or any page) above the banner.

There have been a ton of questions similar to this recently; there are bound to be threads with useful information in them.

-bry

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Permalink Reply by Jesus O. Gomez on May 26, 2010 at 4:33pm

About the 220v, I use a converter,We got a Marzocco GS/3 for caterings and is 220v, but I just plug it to the converter and I'm done. Search for those to.

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Permalink Reply by Shadow on May 27, 2010 at 6:59am

Before you purchase a machine be sure what power source will be available, if any. Having a 220v connection would be nice as you could choose pretty much any commercial machine. One group commercial units are available in a 110v configuration, but I'd have to think recovery time would be somewhat slowed by lower voltage. If no power is available you may have to use a propane fired lever machine.

Then you will need some sort of water delivery system for the machine, handwash sink, etc. Usually a FloJet or ShurFlo pump is used for that and these can be setup for 110v or even 12v if needed. Maybe you could get by with the 5 gal containers you see for your water source as those pumps can easily draw water out of one and will also need something similar (5 gal container) for the machine/sink drains.

Your area might require health dept. inspection, as well as a commissary for you to dump your gray water, clean/sanitize your utensils, etc. A known source for potable water will be required as it must be sanitary for consumption...

Then you'll need a way to refrigerate dairy products as well something NSF rated to store ice if used in your drinks... I could go on, but won't overwhelm you as I'm sure others will add to this list.

Edit... just noticed there have been many great suggestions already, but my info might be useful nonetheless.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Yates on May 30, 2010 at 12:29pm

Alex, I am starting a separate thread on the following link, going in a slightly different direction, but you should check it none the less.

http://gizmodo.com/5550501//gallery/20

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Permalink Reply by Paul Yates on May 30, 2010 at 1:08pm

Wait....huh? Seriously, your shop is going under? Crap. I'm sorry to hear this, had high hopes for y'all.

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Permalink Reply by Karen Claunch on May 30, 2010 at 5:36pm

I don't know if you could get your hands on a copy of the Dec/Jan 2008 Barista Magazine but I think it was in that issue that they did a good 2 or 3 page article about exactly this. They broke down all of the details about location, power needs, security issues, start up finances, etc. It was very good.

Here is a link for youuuu: http://www.baristamagazine.com/Issues/VolumeIII/decjan08issue.html

So sorry to hear about your shop :( Best of luck to you!

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Permalink Reply by Alex Maes on May 31, 2010 at 10:43am

Thanks Karen! Good stuff

Karen Claunch said:

I don't know if you could get your hands on a copy of the Dec/Jan 2008 Barista Magazine but I think it was in that issue that they did a good 2 or 3 page article about exactly this. They broke down all of the details about location, power needs, security issues, start up finances, etc. It was very good.

Here is a link for youuuu: http://www.baristamagazine.com/Issues/VolumeIII/decjan08issue.html

So sorry to hear about your shop :( Best of luck to you!

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Permalink Reply by Alex Maes on May 31, 2010 at 10:43am

I was thinking pourover was a good possibility

Paul Yates said:

Alex, I am starting a separate thread on the following link, going in a slightly different direction, but you should check it none the less.

http://gizmodo.com/5550501//gallery/20

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Permalink Reply by Alex Maes on May 31, 2010 at 10:44am

Thanks so much to everyone for the Ideas!

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on June 1, 2010 at 7:49pm

Good for you! I just setup a cart. I'd say find a biz that wants a coffee cart, with good traffic, or somewhere near where you work, but traffic is a huge factor. I have a la pavoni pub 2 that's great. That aside: don't worry too much about the equipment, that's fun, but figure out all the business aspects like accounting, marketing and finances (sorry if that's a downer) but definitely relevant. If you're in a big city I'm sure there's someone looking to unload a business or it is pretty easy to create your own rig via espresso parts, etc.

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