Coffee fans know that a quality cup of java can turn a good morning into a great day or provide the mid-afternoon lift we all sometimes need. Goochland has not previously had a location dedicated specifically to this purpose, but beloved local mobile business Sipping Sunshine Cafe is preparing to change that. The business, helmed by Lori Traficanti, will be debuting its first storefront in the area later this year, reports Richmond Biz Sense.
Sipping Sunshine will be welcoming guests at 2913 River Road West. Owner Traficanti kindly spoke to What Now DC about setting up the cafe’s first brick and mortar-and how it will fill a void in the neighborhood. “Goochland doesn’t have any coffee shops.” she explains. “There are some restaurants that serve coffee but there’s no independent coffee shops. There’s a demand for a dedicated espresso bar.”
Traficanti wasn’t actively chasing a storefront; however the location was presented to her, and-given the success of the coffee trailer-the opportunity to provide guests with a place to sit and enjoy their drinks and treats was too good to pass up. She states: “We were definitely drumming up a lot of business in the mobile unit, and a lot of our guests wanted a place to sit. We don’t have seating outside. There’s a demand for a place for people to meet for coffee-for interviews, to catch up with an old friend…and the right place opened up at the right time.”
Sipping Sunshine will invite customers to unwind in a cozy space, while enjoying treats they likely can’t find anywhere else. Traficanti describes her vision for the cafe as “A comfortable space where people can go alone or come with a friend and feel comfortable relaxing with a nice drink and a nice snack. The area doesn’t really have anything on the health-conscious side. We’re going to have gourmet salads and yogurt parfaits. We have a lot of clientele from the gyms in the areas and our healthier drinks are some of the most popular on the menu.”
Speaking of the menu, Sipping Sunshine’s future regulars can look forward to enjoying the options that have made the concept such a hit alongside new, tasty selections. “Our menu is going to expand,” says Traficanti. “Right now we’re just coffee and a couple of prepackaged baked goods from 2 and a Half Irishmen. A lot of our guests are familiar with 2 and a Half Irishmen, and we’ll continue to carry his products, but we’re also going to expand to carry smoothies.”
Sipping Sunshine will span 1,800 square feet, with seating for up to 30 patrons. The cafe will be open from 7 am to 3 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Traficanti adds that the mobile unit has events booked for fall and winter, but will be shutting down for the winter, with plans for a comeback when the weather warms.
Goochland residents will be able to check out all that Sipping Sunshine has to offer this fall. Traficanti explains that while the cafe is still working through some red tape, she is actively training staff now so she and her team can hit the ground running as soon as the storefront is ready to go.
