The Greenwood family knows a thing or two about starting over.
After launching two other local business ventures in the early 2000s, and seeing the initially successful endeavors decline with the downturn of the economy, it was time for the entrepreneurial family to set their sights on a new idea in 2015.
Combining their passion for coffee and people, the concept of Small Coffee Big Taste was born. Bre and Ryc Greenwood wanted to build a business that had staying power, something they could pass down to their two children, Dru and Brae. After convincing themselves that they could brew a better cup of joe than most professional brands, they decided to open a mobile coffee truck.
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For two years, the family taste-tested coffee beans, designed a logo and brand concept and educated themselves to become first-rate baristas. The mobile trailer was just the first step in their plan for an eventual storefront location, and it took seven months to outfit the trailer into a portable coffee shop.
When a fire destroyed the trailer on May 5 after just six weeks of operation, it was hard for the family not to take it as a sign, Bre Greenwood says. While devastated, they’re ready to rebuild.
“We’re strong and we’re resilient, and I respect Baton Rouge for teaching us that,” she says.
Since the fire, the family has received an outpouring of support, Bre says. Companies on their route, regular customers and friends have all reached out to show their appreciation of the family’s product and vision.
The Greenwoods emphasize personal interaction and high-quality service in their business—separating them from chains, Dru Greenwood says. They’ll remember your name and order, and always greet you with a smile. The makers have high standards for their coffee, and you can occasionally catch them pouring out drinks if the milk burned, or the beans weren’t just right.
“We wouldn’t serve anything we wouldn’t drink ourselves,” Dru says.
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In its month-and-a-half span, the Small Coffee trailer traveled to special events, office buildings and community functions, with the family often working 80-hour weeks. Dru and his father would wake up before 5 a.m. to hit their early morning stops, and would stay to catch the post-work commuters after 5 p.m.
Until they’re back on their feet, Small Coffee Big Taste is running limited operations from a portable cart. Small Coffee even catered Mid City Studio’s monthly Coffee on the Porch event May 26. They plan to be back in business by Sept. 1, Ryc Greenwood says, either back in a trailer format or with a brick-and-mortar location.
Small Coffee has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the family rebuild its business.