Having always enjoyed a fresh cup of joe, Jon Estep knew he wanted to open his own coffee business. After seeing his sisters open up their company, the Kauai resident decided to offer people a unique experience through his trailer
Having always enjoyed a fresh cup of joe, Jon Estep knew he wanted to open his own coffee business.
After seeing his sisters open up their company, the Kauai resident decided to offer people a unique experience through his trailer business, Dark Roost Coffee.
“I’ve been into coffee for a long time,” the business owner said. “When my sisters opened the Fresh Shave, they said you just got to do it in a vintage trailer, so we did and we started doing special events and weddings and this location became available.”
Estep said that there’s no better place than Lawai for him to have his business, which was inspired by the company In-N-Out Burger due to its simple menu.
Kauai’s chicken population proved to be inspiration for company’s name.
Opened last month, Dark Roost Coffee is located on 3540 Koloa Road next to the food truck, Kickshaws, and offers hot, cold and dark coffees, pour-overs, lemonade, and icy chai teas. Dark Roost Coffee also features products from other businesses, such as Kauai Roastery.
Customers can also enjoy muffins and granola bowls, on the multi-colored picnic tables next to the white artisan trailer.
“It means a place where other businesses can be supported,” Estep said. “A place where people can come and be encouraged ‘cause I like meeting and talking to lots of people. It’s just a simple place to get good, fresh coffee.”
Dark Roost Coffee also includes features such as “muffin of the day” and “bean of the week,” which are constantly changing.
As the co-owner of Dark Roost Coffee, Estep’s wife, Stasia Estep, has enjoyed being a part of the unique trailer-based business. After all, it’s the only place she goes to get her coffee.
“I think it’s fun,” she said. “I think it’s something unique that we don’t really have a lot of over here. I was kind of the one who said, if we’re going to do this, it has to be in something awesome.”
Dark Roost Coffee is open from 6 a.m. to noon.
As song writers and musicians, the Esteps have created songs for many different T.V shows before running their coffee business. The shows include New Girl, Ghost Whisperer and the Lying Game.
