Photography by Spacecrafting
Mark and Rachelle Meissner
It was 13 years ago that Mark and Rachelle Meissner met while working at a small-town restaurant. And yes, it’s as romantic as it sounds. “We fell in love,” she says, giggling. “There’s always been this kind of magic between us.”
And they knew, dreaming together, that someday they wanted to work their magic with coffee. “I’ve always loved how coffee brings people together; it makes people so happy,” she explains.
So when the original owners of Coffee Cart MPLS approached the couple to buy the thriving company in 2020, they agreed. After all, the duo was already running their own coffee catering company, so a brand built on letting java lovers experience the best of Minneapolis coffee wherever they are felt like a natural fit.
Of course, given that the Meissners made this entrepreneurial leap during the pandemic, there was definitely risk involved. But they embraced the opportunity to get to know the business and reimagine what the future could look like. Then when in-person gatherings came back to life, Coffee Cart MPLS was right there, ready to bring people together. “To be a part of creating the atmosphere of being back together has been so incredibly special,” says Mark.
These days, the Meissners and their baristas bring their mobile coffee and espresso bar anywhere within a couple hours of the Twin Cities, exclusively sourcing beans from local award-winning Silverbird Roasting Co. They specialize in crafting seasonally tempting menus — lavender or dreamsicle latte, anyone? — that private and corporate clients can customize for special events ranging from baby showers to brand activations. And for the ultimate curated experience, they can even vinyl wrap carts and stamp or sticker cups with logos or designs to mark the special occasion.
So all things considered, is the couple happy at the helm of Coffee Cart MPLS? “This is the best thing we ever did; I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” Rachelle exclaims. “I feel like Mark and I are stewards of this company. We’re taking care of it, and it’s been so much fun.”
