Mobile coffee shop powered down
Thief stole expensive generator, leaving shipping container business in limbo
Edmonton’s first shipping container-based business is looking for help after it became the victim of a break-in just a month after opening.
YEG Coffee Can, a mobile coffee shop made out of a shipping container, has been selling local coffee and baked goods in different areas of the downtown core. That ended Monday morning when thieves made off with the business’s generator after a break-in at its latest location near the intersection of 100 Street and 103A Avenue.
“Unfortunately, our generator and some specialized equipment for our wiring is taken, halting our operations,” said Tony Phung, owner of the mobile shop. “Right now, we’re not in a cash position to really go out and buy a $6,000 generator.”
Faced with the decision of purchasing a new generator the business can’t afford or closing for the rest of summer while they work with insurance to cover half of the recovery costs, Phung has created an online campaign to raise enough money to replace the stolen equipment. In the meantime, the business’s five staff members are hoping to work with local electricians to get power restored to the business to reopen as soon as possible.
“We’ve looked at rental options but I don’t think we’re at a phase yet during the startup where it’s financially feasible,” Phung said.
“We’re stuck in this little decision here: if we go through insurance, you’ll see us again next year but if we can raise funds really quickly or if I come up with a creative solution in the meantime I can definitely get us running right away.”
Phung said a standard industrial generator wouldn’t work for his business due to the noise it causes. He was using a quiet generator that ran at a level quieter than a conversation between two people.
“Hopefully we can get it running by tomorrow, maybe Thursday, maybe the weekend,” Phung said.
YEG Coffee Can moonlights as a social enterprise by having a pay it forward program for coffee and doughnuts with a long-term goal of doing clean water research. When asked if he had anything he would like to say to the robber, Phung kept that attitude of giving back and helping others.
“Enjoy the free generator I guess, we’re all about giving back. It sucks for us but hope you put it to good use,” said Phung.
“Maybe their situation is a little bit worse than ours.”
Police could not immediately comment.