“We love Youngstown coffee culture.” New woman-owned mobile coffee trailer hits the road
Meet Darla Schafer and Anna Luongo, the two owners of a new mobile coffee trailer based in Youngstown called Coffee Run.
Schafer and Luongo officially opened Coffee Run to Youngstown customers in early September, and participated in the Holiday Bazaar Oct. 26 in New Middletown.
“Early on in our friendship, we knew we shared a common dream. Our dream was to own our own specialized coffee business and here we are,” said Schafer.
Where, when to find Coffee Run in November
Get a taste of Coffee Run at the business’ celebratory ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Nov. 27 with the Youngstown-Warren Chamber of Commerce at the Lariccia Center at the Boardman Park.
Drinks will be available for purchase until noon at the ribbon cutting.
“We have already received such great feedback and so much support, so we are so excited to have the opportunity to celebrate with our friends, family and customers,” said Schafer.
Coffee Run will also be parked at the What We’re Thankful 4-Miler race on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28 starting at 8 a.m., hosted by Second Sole in Boardman.
“For us, it’s about more than just serving coffee; it’s about building relationships and contributing to the local economy by supporting the people and businesses around us,” said Schafer. “We are proud to be a part of such a vibrant, creative community, and we are always looking for new ways to collaborate and give back.”
Starting woman-owned business
Luongo has worked in culinary arts and hospitality management, while Schafer specializes in marketing.
“We knew we were the perfect pair,” said Schafer. “Coffee Run is truly one of a kind in the Youngstown area.”
Schafer worked with John Craig, a local graphic designer, to create the Coffee Run logo.
“His design has really helped us establish a unique and recognizable identity. We are especially proud of the artwork on our trailer, which was painted by Jenna Deer, another extremely talented local artist,” Schafer said. “As one of the few coffee trailers in the area, we stand out by creating syrups and sauces inspired by culinary artistry, setting us apart from the crowd.”
Coffee Run serves several different types of coffees, teas and even plant-based energy drinks called Lotus drinks.
“We love Youngstown coffee culture, and we really more than anything just want to share that love of coffee with other people,” said Schafer.
According to the owners, Coffee Run collaborates with several local individuals and business owners “who have helped bring the brand to life.”
“We source all of our coffee beans locally from LiBs Market, which allows us to support a beloved local business while also ensuring that our beans are fresh and of the highest quality. We also work closely with the tech team at Invoke, who handle all of our equipment maintenance,” Schafer said.
Coffee Run predominantly serves Mahoning County, but they are available for events outside of the area.
“Being a women-owned business means a lot to us. When we created Coffee Run, we wanted to create a business that was not only about delivering high-quality coffee, but also about breaking down barriers and proving that women can thrive in the entrepreneurial world,” Schafer said.
One of Coffee Run’s goals is to show local women that they can pursue their dreams and succeed in any industry, even ones which are historically male-dominated.
“Our plan is to get to a point where we are in a pretty consistent location a few times a week. Where it could be a Wednesday morning, and you know for sure that we will be parked somewhere and you can stop by on your way to work, or the gym, or while running your errands,” said Schafer.
Follow Coffee Run on Instagram and Facebook for updates, and visit the Coffee Run website for details of where the trailer will be serving drinks next.
