Finding Minty

So why a coffee truck?  Why not a café, consultancy, gallery or book shop?

I’d like to tell you that I always dreamt of running a coffee truck – but that’s not true. I’d always enjoyed and consumed coffee, but I was not a coffee nerd and it did not fuel my escape fantasies (they centred around being a lumberjack – unrealistic with my tree pollen allergies!). So how did Bob meet Minty?

What I was looking for

I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I like the organising and business. I wanted something that was interactive and creative (so selling books or static products was not for me). I have always had a passion for food, but running a pop-up café in 2023 taught me that it is difficult to make and serve good food alone. I did not want the liabilities of a bricks and mortar business. I did want something that could be part of my local community – where I could serve and in some sense belong to the community.

What the area needed

Then I looked around me. Northumberland is amazing. It has lively and engaged communities.  It attracts lots of tourists, particularly in summer.  There are some good retail and hospitality outlets, and there is good coffee if you know where to look, but the market is not saturated.  There are very few vintage coffee trucks in North Northumberland. Making good coffee and home bakes also allows for creativity. So it was that I settled on the coffee truck business.

Finding Minty

I started looking at converting a tuk-tuk.  The limited range, instability and small engines of these cute three-wheelers meant they were not suitable for the rigours of the coast.  I didn’t fancy standing outside a small vehicle in the wind and rain either.  Bespoke trailers were good, but not cheap and, for me, lacked the romance I was looking for.  So, I started looking for something unique. 

After looking at lots of vintage vans online I came across a 1972 Bedford Bedouin camper. 

Minty’s interior in spring 2025

I had a test drive and spoke with the brilliant folks at Coffee Latino who were going to do the conversion. We agreed that she would do the trick – so I brought Minty home.

You monster – how could you!

Now, the vintage purists among you will be screaming that I should have left her as she was.  Perhaps. Maybe someone would have bought her alternatively, like so many, she would slowly rot. I had a plan to ensure Minty had a life, that she was loved, and regularly used (and everything we were about to do could be reversed).

Metamorphosis

So began a three-month process of designing and working with Ric and his expert conversion team at Coffee Latino.  From creating a brand identity, to logos, fonts and colour schemes.  These then became decals which were altered and refined by the converters. We talked about materials, equipment, hygiene, vibe and the adjustments Minty required, along with safety and feel.

Finally, in September, she was ready.  As I got on the train to Newcastle I was as giddy as a child on Christmas eve.  From the moment I saw her it was clear that they had done a fantastic job.  Minty beamed and gleamed.  She looked like she was born to make coffee. 

Now we just needed somewhere to trade – more on this challenge in the next blog.

Happy caffeinating

Bob & Minty

Minty - The Little Green Bean Machine