“A wandering coffee shop perpetually headed west.” This is the brand motto of graphic designer and art director Brandon Painter’s traveling coffee shop. He is currently steering his 1973 Argosy Airstream through Denver selling specialty coffees window-side.
Nowhere Coffee really took off just a couple of months ago but has been in the works for about two years. When Brandon was working full-time as a designer, he had clients from both startups and Fortune 500 companies. He and a close friend had the ambitious idea to turn their Airstream into a mobile design studio, eliminating the home office and bringing travel into their everyday life. Yet fate would interrupt, and his friend met the love of his life at the MLK March in Denver. A marriage and two kids later and all Brandon has to say about that is “life seems to work out in weird and wonderful ways.”
He took on the renovation solo in November of 2019 with the hopes of being on the road in three months, but he quickly realized that construction was harder than it appeared (his design expertise remains digital). Plus, after getting hit with the pandemic, he was forced to take his time on bringing Ramblin’ Rose to life.
“I acquired the trailer in 2013 in Texas, which was from Airstream’s Argosy line produced between 1972-79, and were dubbed the 'Painted Airstreams',” says Brandon.
He took the 24-foot trailer and gutted it. Giving her a “shell on” renovation, rebuilding everything from the axles up for it to be fully functioning when off the grid, meaning she has a generator on board to power all coffee equipment. The shell remains original and that’s just about it. The end result reveals a dreamsicle colored trailer that nods to the Wild West inside. Canvas blinds, cowboy and horseshoe motifs, and matte black light fixtures all blend seamlessly together against the peach-colored walls. Light fills the spacious interior where Brandon brews up specialty drinks for customers and friends alike.
His very first stop is the Cole Neighborhood community where the trailer sits parked. He has been warmly welcomed by neighbors and passersby with whom he is eager to share his favorite Denver coffee. His chosen coffee is roasted by Middle State in Denver (MiddleStateCoffee.com), who he loves for their flavor and roasting techniques and also for the people behind the beans.
“They are a rad bunch of people who are fun and supportive to work with, which is as equally important as the coffee itself,” shares Brandon. “Along with having Middle State on the bar, I will be rotating guest roasters from across the country.”
Currently, Brandon serves a range of coffees and teas, including cold brew, cappuccinos, and chai and matcha lattes. With both a loyalty to his favorite roasters as well as a curiosity to incorporate new coffees along his journey, Nowhere Coffee is becoming the capsule for an ever-evolving expedition.
“Nowhere is still in its infancy as a business,” Brandon expresses. “So, the itinerary is moment to moment, but I have events around Colorado booked through the fall and plan to take some road trips west and up to the Pacific Northwest this year.”
Even though Ramblin’ Rose had to wait a little longer to show off her glossy new veneer, Brandon feels fortunate that he had the time and space to focus all of his energy on the trailer.
“If everything wasn’t shut down I would have felt a self-imposed pressure to hurry and get it finished,” Brandon shares.
These silver linings of Covid have enlisted gratitude and perspective for those healthy and able to see them. Brandon is no exception, and now that travel restrictions are easing and cities are re-opening he is prepared for those wide-open roads ahead.
Current Hours:
Wednesday - Sunday 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Daily Rituals on the Road
1. Stretch: I’m a habitual stretcher and start every day by doing so.
2. Journal: I’ve been journaling regularly for the past three years
3. Coffee time: if it’s for myself, I’m most likely using a v60 to brew with.
4. Songs while cruising: my full spectrum of music includes everything from the Grateful Dead to old country music to deep house electronic.
5. Movement: climbing, skateboarding, bike riding.
6. Winding down: a glass of wine if I'm feeling fancy or most of the time a PB&J sandwich