Meet Rini Lewis | Mobile Coffee Shop Owner & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rini Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rini, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business is a whole jumble of things. I wanted something that was unique, internally and externally. Owning my own business would allow me flexibility; with time, location, etc. The ability to create my own schedule also allows me to be intentional with my want for intentional travel and family time. I loved the idea of moving from one special event to the next, never getting bored, always meeting new faces, and learning more about the community. I wanted something where I could still have a place for my hobby of art, and also a faith-based business that could be a way to show God’s love to the community. Really, the name says the thought. Restored; the camper had been restored, the coffee restores energy, and the Lord brings restoration to our souls.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Restored Coffee is a mobile coffee shop serving out of a 1957 camper. The camper can be hired to come to special events – ie. weddings, corporate events, parties, concerts – or can be booked to come to your neighborhood. Restored has been built out by me, and my family, with every little detail thought out. It was a fun way to channel my artsy personality. I wanted something aesthetically pleasing to fit in with any setting, as well as continue the vintage theme while staying on brand.

Starting the business was hard. I didn’t really know what to do other than how to make coffee. I began to reach out to other fellow coffee shop owner friends for help. Diver Surfside Cafe helped my register the business. I also used many mobile coffee groups on facebook to lookup or ask questions. All the behind the scene business work always made me anxious by God kept me going by opening doors to help from others. Building out the camper took the longest as we just did a trial and error method hoping the looks hold up the camper! I was most nervous about just opening. Would it be busy? Would I fail? Are my prices right? Will I wreck? I had to learn how to drive a camper, how to back it up, and park it. So many what-ifs. But the best resources were just asking other businesses in similar situations. By the time we started nearing the end of the tunnel I wanted to give up because it was scary. God continued to provide so that I could keep going and all the people I had in my life supported that step. When I opened, the turnout was amazing and it affirmed that this is what I should be doing. I began to get excited for the different things we can start doing in the future. Events are my favorite, being a part of a special moment in someone’s life. But owning a coffee shop is much more than just making coffee, it’s a lot more work than most people think, and mobile doesn’t help! I may only work 3 or so days a week but on the other days I am buying product, making syrups, posting content, scheduling bookings, bookkeeping, etc. The list goes on. My favorite is meeting the community, seeing “regulars” excited that I am there that day, hearing about good news in someone’s life, making connections, and of course drinking the coffee! I have fun with it but also enjoy my time off.

For the product, we try to go with the quality over quantity motto. It takes us a minute or so longer to make drinks as we want it to truly taste good. I use Oak City Roasters for my coffee, a Kilimanjaro bean for regular and Sumatra for espresso. As for making drinks, I think it is really important that you can taste the coffee! I make my own syrups to control ingredient and how much sugar is in each drink – every month I have different specials. For mochas, Restored uses shaved chocolate from Burry Chocolates in Hampstead, NC.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friend were visiting town in Wilmington, everyday we definitely would grab coffee at Folkstone in Fuzzy Needle, Maven Coffee, Bevvy (when my husband and I are not working at my shop we love visiting other shops)
We would then go for a walk with our coffee, either at Halyburton park, everyone walks “the loop” in wrightsville beach, or on the beach or just downtown!
Thrifting would be a fun thing to do, the bazaar or blue moon shops in wilmington are interesting, even a day trip to one of the local beach towns like Southport, Oak Island, Baldhead.
For food, anywhere in the cargo district is delicious, ceviches and savorez is amazing, and lumina station has great places.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God is the only reason I have made it as far as I have. He has always provided for me even when I had doubts. I’m not sure where I would be or what I would be doing if He wasn’t there for me.
My parents have always been my biggest supporters, they encouraged me and helped in ay way they could!
My husband has been a huge blessing as he continues to be by my side, working with me on the weekends after his full time job during the week, pushing me to try new things and do events I am nervous about. He is so loving and hardworking.
I also am just so thankful for friends and family for always showing up for me and offering a hand when I need it!

Website: https://restoredcoffeeco.com

Instagram: restoredcoffeeco

Facebook: restoredcoffeeco

Image Credits
rini lewis