Alta and Jesse Keller are coffee entrepreneurs, music enthusiasts, and overall neat people. They operate Coffee Cart MPLS, a mobile espresso bar that efficiently brews Dogwood coffee with a fun twist. This year WAM Collective asked Coffee Cart MPLS to bring lattes into the gallery as part of our January Open Mic Night event. The collaboration was such a success we decided to bring them back for our final 2017-18 Study Night. I recently had the chance to ask them a few questions about their inspiration, go-to drinks, and a few of their other hobbies. Read on to learn more!
AC: How did you come up with the idea for the coffee cart?
A+JK: We both have always loved coffee and worked in various coffee shops over the years. The Twin Cities is an incredible place for craft coffee - so many roasters and shops.
We would like to open a coffee shop someday, but weren't quite ready to take that big of a step. We thought the idea of a mobile espresso bar service that encompasses all we love about local coffee shops: great quality, aesthetically beautiful, inviting atmosphere would be well received in a coffee loving area like the Twin Cities. So we made the jump...if anything it was going to be just a fun adventure working side by side and drinking coffee! Our business has organically grown like crazy over the last 2.5 years and we have had a ton of fun meeting people and making coffee for thousands of people all over Minnesota!
AC: How do you come up with drinks for the menu?
A+JK: This is one of the most fun parts of owning this business! We love to experiment and are always getting ideas for taste profiles/combinations from different bakery goods or drinks we have while traveling or visiting shops around the metro. We usually create and offer a new specialty drink every season.
AC: I hear you also play music! How does that interact with the cart?
A+JK: We do! Music is a huge part of who we are and it's been incredible how many connections we've made with other musicians and creatives through Coffee Cart MPLS. Our band is called THE PRAMS - it is electronic pop music. You can find all our music on Itunes or Spotify. This year (2017) we are putting out a new single every month and you can download it for free on our website www.wearetheprams.com ! You can also keep up with our live show schedule on our website or follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wearetheprams
AC: What are your favorite coffee drinks?
A+JK: We both have the same favorites (of course!): cappuccino or a miel (latte with honey + a dash of cinnamon)
