The new Rad Pad coffee cart in Masterton has now been slinging hot java and other goodies for a month, having launched in the lead-up to Christmas.
Located by the skatepark at Queen Elizabeth Park, the coffee caravan is operated by Laura Hutchinson and Jaysa May-Watkins.
Business has been good, according to May-Watkins: “We have found it has been very steady over the holiday season.”
Being close to the skate park brings in business from the kids who frequent it, something Hutchinson said she is embracing.
“We get a lot of kids from the skate park, so we try to offer milkshakes and iced drinks for them, as well as ice cream.”
And the products on offer aren’t just any old thing, Hutchinson said.
“We like to keep all of our products organic – and locally sourced as well.
“A lot of our sweet and savoury foods are either baked in-house out of the caravan or come from local providers.”
The guiding philosophy is one of quality and community.
“We’re all small businesses, we’re all local, and we all need to prop each other up,” Hutchinson said.
As well as providing refreshments to the public, the caravan-based business is also acting as an extension of the local youth hub programme.
“We are already having conversations with region’s youth to work trust programme [Youth2Work Wairarapa] and some of the Iwi and schools,” said Hutchison, who hope that more barista training for young people that feeds into the local hospitality sector can be offered eventually.
Hutchinson and May-Watkins were keen to spread the word to potential customers that the Rad Pad is great for drive-throughs, thanks to plenty of onsite parking, and to encourage people stay grounded by taking a break from the daily grind, and enjoying a mug-nificent cup of coffee.
Well done and good luck for your new venture
Thanks for the comment.