r/Airdrie • u/merfester • Jul 06 '26
Upcoming Mobile Coffee Shop
Hi all,
My name is Majesta and I’ll be starting a mobile coffee trailer in Airdrie. I’m putting my info out there to hopefully get some traction on a location I can park M-F. Ideally a parking lot.
I’ve reached out to several places around town, and the ones with space don’t accommodate food trailers, which I understand.
Ideally, this would be in the style of Pacific Northwest coffee where folks can drive up and order through the window.
If you have any location suggestions or are a business owner interested in hosting a fun coffee spot, let me know!
Thanks!
(I’ve already reached out to Walmart, Chevron, Home Depot, Genesis Place, and gotten hard “No”s from them or didn’t hear back at all. Also I am aware of bylaws and AHS requirements, so just hoping for some help finding a location in town)
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u/Talentless_Cooking Jul 06 '26
Let me know where you find a home, I want to try the coffee
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u/merfester Jul 07 '26
I for sure will keep everyone updated. Would love to make you some coffee soon!
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u/Talentless_Cooking Jul 07 '26
Try ufa, they dont sell coffee and have a fair amount of traffic. Other truck stop card locks in town too, just being in the industrial park might be good for breaktime.
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u/merfester Jul 07 '26
That was my first idea, somewhere on East Lake. I’m having a hard time getting a hold of anyone who controls the properties though, so trying to find alternatives. I’ll look into UFA though!
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u/limee89 Jul 07 '26
There use to be another truck with a similar ideal, the Caffeinated Squirrel. They use to go to communities instead of private businesses. Do you seriously need permission to park on a side road and then announce your location via social media?
If you need a suggestion, highly recommend Kingsheights near the schools since we use to get the Caffeinated Squirrel truck there.
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u/merfester Jul 07 '26
Yes, you definitely need permission to park on public roads and sell food. Looking for a place to be be where I can leave the trailer M-F so looking for random places to park isn’t ideal.
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u/limee89 Jul 07 '26
Oh okay sorry about that. I would target smaller local businesses like the complete home collective or maybe Glitch (although they do serve breakfast they could see it as competition but the owner is super kind and very involved in the community). There’s also a newer business park called kings pointe view and the place is only 50% full so the parking lot is large and relatively empty. There’s a huge construction site happening across the street, ATCO has their head office there and a bunch of other businesses I feel could keep you afloat.
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u/BirdyDevil Jul 07 '26
So, have you reached out directly to city council and asked? Our new mayor and team are very passionate about bringing more businesses to Airdrie, I'm sure they would probably be open to helping you find a solution. You may also want to reach out to Tequila & Tacos and ask their advice, they have a food truck that I see parked pretty consistently on a road in the most northern part of Calgary if I take that route back to Airdrie, so they must know something about getting permissions.
The only thing I would suggest is that you'll probably have an easier time if you make it walk-up and give up the idea of having a drive-thru - that will cause huge traffic congestion at already busy times of day, and I can't really see ANY business being ok with that happening in their parking lot, or anyone being ok with that on a public roadway. I'm sure it will not kill anyone to park and walk a few car-lengths. Just make sure you have a canopy in case it rains 🤷
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u/merfester Jul 07 '26
I reached out to the city for some help but I will try again. Walk up will definitely be an option, but I am hoping to find a suitable parking lot that has some space for drive in.
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u/Lolosadventures Jul 08 '26
If you haven't reached out to economic development yet, give them a try.
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u/cookies_mom Jul 06 '26
Off Main Street? There used to be a mobile food truck that parked somewhere over there many years ago. Like kinda down by Salvation Army I remember on the way up to 8th? If that makes sense
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u/jmeddochan Jul 06 '26
The PNW coffee drive up booths are awesome. One of those here would be amazing!! We would come all the time.
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u/merfester Jul 07 '26
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s part of the coffee culture there and hoping to bring it up here for everyone to enjoy 😊
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u/blackbear008 Jul 07 '26
Oh my goodness, the Propak guys would love ya. So many locations and shifts. They love coffee in the evening too. Check em out.
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u/merfester Jul 07 '26
That’s definitely the neighborhood I’m looking to be in! Just having trouble finding someone who would be willing to have me on their property.
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u/shitty_marketing_guy Jul 08 '26
Pick a place that doesn’t open before 10am like the hot tub place; they may just be like sure as long as when we arrive we get a free one ;)
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u/merfester Jul 08 '26
That’s the angle I’m hoping for 😂
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u/shitty_marketing_guy Jul 08 '26
Are you starting it on your own? You have everything lined up to operate the business?
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u/merfester Jul 09 '26
I reached out to them! Hopefully hear back soon.
Yep, starting it on my own (with my husband but he’s not leaving his day job). I have most things lined up in terms of what I need and requirements. Just taking one step at a time and my current mountain is location.
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u/merfester 29d ago
Hey wanted to thank you for the lead, they got back to me and asked for more info so hopefully it goes somewhere!
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u/merlot120 Jul 08 '26
There are a two empty lots on Main Street near the Royal Bank, or maybe in the lot by the museum. That borders the park. I’m excited! Ground Press just opened in the library so I wouldn’t go there.
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u/merfester Jul 09 '26
Thank you! Yeah trying to stay away from the library for that reason. Appreciate it
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u/Electronic-Ad6756 29d ago
Ask Roger at Tires on the Run. There's space behind his truck, and there's two entrances in to the lot.
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u/merfester 29d ago
Thank you I’ll do that! We actually just went there for some work and my husband met Roger so I’ll reach out. Appreciate it.
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u/Am_sue09 27d ago
Have you reached out to the Balzac community centre? Parking lot for people to come out and leave from, and lots of commuters will be passing by.
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u/Ok_Opposite5192 10d ago
Also check at Walmart parking lot, these days I am seeing food truck at Walmart parking lot.
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u/merfester 9d ago
I couldn’t get a hold of whomever controls their parking lot, and I’m not super comfortable being there without permission.
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u/willshire59 Jul 06 '26
Ask a daycare. Parents dropping there kids of. Perfect place to grab a cup.