Andrea Pasquan used to be known as the “Roots Food Truck Woman.” Soon she will be known as the “Urbean Woman.” 

Urbean is a combination coffee bar and boutique. Sounds typical enough, right? Think again. Andrea will be running Urbean out of a refurbished 1965 Airstream trailer. And why an Airstream trailer? So she can come to you. Andrea will be taking Urbean to pop-up events, festivals and private events.

And we’re not talking a walk-up window situation; you will legit be shopping inside the trailer. 

Andrea is currently running an Indiegogo campaign to raise $29,000 to cover the trailer and supplies. As you may have guessed, I had 1,000 questions for Andrea about her trailer, her coffee and how she came up with this unique concept. Here’s our conversation:

Me: What gave you the idea to open a coffee shop/boutique inside a trailer?

Andrea: I’ve wanted to open a coffee shop for over five years, because I personally love coffee shops. Over the years the idea evolved into both coffee and retail and being mobile.

Me: Where will you be located? 

Andrea: Eventually I would love to be located in Plaza Midwood; I think it would be a really good fit. I love the idea of parking in front of a business that has a similar vibe, like an interior design shop. 

Me: Why did you decide to start Urbean in Charlotte?

Andrea: In Charlotte there’s always events and Charlotte is a good city for entrepreneurs. People are so supportive and open to new ideas.

Me: When do you need to raise the $29,000?

Andrea: June 6 is the deadline.

Me: When would you be up and running?

Andrea: August.

Me: Why did you decide on selling Enderly Coffee? 

Andrea: I partnered with them when I worked for the Roots Food Truck. Enderly Coffee’s mission is to give back to the community (a portion of every sale goes towards educational initiatives). I like what they’re about. I like to partner with like-minded people.

Me: What kinds of coffee will you serve?

Andrea: Simple coffee. I’ll have about six choices including drip coffee, pour over coffee and iced coffee.

Me: Will you have hot chocolate for non-coffee drinkers (a.k.a me)?

Andrea: I won’t have hot chocolate but I will have hot and iced tea.

Me: But I love hot chocolate.

Andrea: Sorry.

Me: Will there be snacks at least?

Andrea: I would love to partner with local bakeries and have a handful of pastry options.

Me: Ok, good. What items are being sold in the boutique section?

Andrea: I have several retail partners. They include:

Fashion&Compassion: Jewelry made by oppressed women artisans. 

Wish We Had Acres: A local farm that makes goat milk soaps.

Yobel Market: A fair trade boutique that sells jewelry, kimonos and blankets made by women over-seas.

Tarjick Leather: A friend of mine who makes handmade leather journals and totes.

Fade Into the Abstract: A company that makes cool boho jewelry.

Side note: Andrea won’t offer many apparel items because a dressing room won’t fit in the trailer. But people could get naked outside. Just a thought. 

Me: Where did you buy the Airstream trailer? 

Andrea: I actually found it on Craigslist. The guys who sold it to me are also renovating it. I’m working with them on the design of the inside; it’s going to be totally customized.

Side Note: The following questions were asked because I have no knowledge of trailers or traffic laws. Honestly, halfway through the interview I still thought an Airstream trailer could drive itself without being towed. 

Me: Do you need a special license to haul an Airstream trailer? 

Andrea: No. 

Me: Can you go on the highway? 

Andrea: Yes. 

Me: Can you parallel park with it? 

Andrea: Probably not.

Me: Where will you keep the trailer? In your driveway?

Andrea: I don’t think my neighbors would be down with that. Luckily, I can store it with the guys doing the renovations.  

Me: Are you worried about things getting destroyed while you’re driving? 

Andrea: Yes. Everything inside will have to be secured, that’s part of the challenge of the design. That’s why I don’t want a lot of breakable products. 

Me: What’s something not many people know about you?

Andrea: I have been a movie extra in over 20 movies and TV shows. 

Want to try Andrea’s coffee offerings and hear what she’s all about? She’s holding a coffee/champagne/appetizers event at Fashion&Compassion (located catty-corner to Copper) tonight. She won’t have hot chocolate but I guess champagne is a good substitute. 

Can’t make it to her event? You can still help make Urbean a reality by donating here.