Who is ScruffyThomas?
How a Welshman from the valleys became the owner of a trendy coffee horsebox conversion. It all started with the fact that I love my coffee and I’m passionate about delivering exceptional service. These days coffee shops are everywhere and major brands lead the way, but back when it was hard to find a great taste of coffee, I was that guy who went on the search.
Before this as a young Welshman growing up in South Wales me and my mates would meet at the café around the corner from my house. The place was Pino Carpaninis a small Italian Café we all called Pino’s. I would have been about 10 years old when I asked for a coffee only to be informed by Mr Carpanini that caffeine was not for kids and I would have to wait until I’m older. A coke float it was then with some music from the wall mounted jukebox.
Years later I was holiday in Italy, the home of pizza some say yet for me it was the home of Coffee. It’s not just about the aroma of fresh beans grounded down to produce the espresso, it was also the atmosphere of the morning rush, Italian’s having their morning boost of caffeine while talking to the Café owner plus everyone else about everything. It really was the meeting point, the hub of the morning.
It was here in Italy I fell for this liquid gold, watching how the double shot of espresso with brown sugar was the order of many and how through the day different milk forms where added to the espresso. How the orders changed and cappuccinos were never drunk after noon. It was also here where I made my first mistake, I asked for a latte and received a cup of hot milk ~ Just hot milk ~ , Where’s the coffee I asked in my best Italian? With a smile on the owners face he threw the crisp white tea towel over his left shoulder and highlighted that I need to request a Café Latte.
My passion began.
"So i enjoyed my hot milk and then ordered myself a Café Latte"
We all have dreams yes? So mine was to run a coffee shop of my own one day. So I did enough dreaming over the years and learnt if you want something then you must start making steps towards it.
Sharing this with my girlfriend Marisa (now my beautiful wife) we proceeded to research how to make it happen. Becoming a Barista and gaining knowledge of the coffee industry, the history of coffee from farming, the drying process, to the roasting stage and then mastering the brewing skills needed to deliver the perfect coffee to our customers. Luckly St Martins Roaster based in Leicester have already done the hard part in sourcing and roasting, I now had to ensure I don’t mess up the last section. So…
Barista training for me and all things coffee from an amazingly talented Italian Mr Rinaldo’s Specialty Coffee and Tea.
Then an insight into the magical world of roasting, more barista skills with latte art plus loads of valuable knowledge with step by step advice on creating a new business. The Founder of St Martins Andy was key to us succeeding. The whole team made us welcome, a massive thank you to you Andy at the team at Saint Martins Roasters, Leicester.
Marisa and I had a night out in our 1972 VW Campervan, it was this night the message popped up on my phone with a horsebox for sale. We looked at one another, had a flash of all the reasons not to do this and everything that could go wrong if we did, but we smiled and made the call.
Few weeks later we where collecting our horse box which reminded me that I need a tow bar oops! Had my bother-in-law tow it home for us. Now time to sell the car and buy a van because we will need more space and more importantly that tow bar.
Now to the task of converting the trailer, equipment, what goes where, brand name and logo plus much much more. The list just grew!
St Martins was on hand with purchasing our machine, grinder and much more. Again we thank you!
The Name and Logo wasn’t that difficult, we find that chatting with family and friends over a few beers gets the ideas flowing.
The Logo was already in my head so we needed a name. My surname is “Thomas” and we liked having this in the brand name then came “Scruffy”, ask me to let my hair down and you’ll see why.
