After spending years working in the specialty coffee industry, Anthony Brewer knew that for some people, the beverage is more than just a drink — it’s a whole experience. When embarking on an entrepreneurial journey in the java world, he knew he wanted to emphasize the culture of coffee alongside blended craftsmanship.
His way to do that was to create Sine Wave Coffee, which started as a mobile coffee cart business in Tennessee half a decade ago. He has now moved the concept to Florida and grown into a permanent home in Jacksonville’s San Marco neighborhood, at 1435 Naldo Ave.
The name Sine Wave Coffee came from tying together two loves of his: music and coffee. A sine wave is a fundamental frequency of sound.
“I became inspired to start a mobile coffee cart because it opened up a lot of possibilities for starting a business quicker and more affordably. It involves far fewer headaches than doing a full buildout in a retail space from the start,” Brewer explained.
Through his convenient, on-the-go set-up, Brewer was able to gain a loyal clientele in the region, offering handcrafted espresso drinks at weddings, corporate events, private parties, brand activations, community gatherings, and other catered occasions.
With the successes of Sine Wave came a big, bold opportunity — to relocate its catering services to a new state and open a permanent retail space with a trailer in a fixed spot. Having a flagship location isn’t something that Brewer considered when first starting, but realized would be a fantastic way to introduce the brand to a new audience in a new way.
“We weren’t even looking for this opportunity; it more or less just fell into our laps. I was unsure how to approach transferring our mobile business from Nashville to Jax, but this opportunity came out of nowhere. I figured this could be a good chance to regroup, and also build brand awareness, build community, and try out a fixed location – all at the same time,” he shared.
While it was a tall order to move a mobile business states away and rebuild their clientele and customer base, it was a challenge that Brewer knew would be worthwhile.
“I’d say the biggest reward so far has been seeing the community’s support firsthand. I am wildly impressed with how San Marco has already embraced Sine Wave, and I’m so grateful for that support,” he explained. “Sounds cliché, but believe in yourself, and just go for it! The risk is worth it.”
Today, the two sides of the business work hand in hand. The trailer gives local customers a place to enjoy Sine Wave Coffee year-round, while the mobile coffee cart continues serving events throughout the Jacksonville and St. Augustine region.
“The top complimentary aspect is that the trailer can build awareness for the mobile operations, and the mobile operations can give locals a place to go to when I’m not doing private events,” Brewer said.
Looking ahead, further expansion isn’t necessarily the primary objective right now. Maintaining quality and creating memorable guest experiences remain the driving forces behind every decision.
“As far as goals for Sine Wave, I have a big priority for keeping the quality up. Whether that means it’s time to expand, or keep it a small operation – I’m truly not sure at the moment. I just want to give guests the best experience possible while they are there,” he said.
“There are a hundred places you can choose to go for coffee, but I just want everyone to feel at home when they visit, and of course, to enjoy the coffee experience.”
