Cereal Java opens in burgeoning food court
Another food truck — Cereal Java — has joined the wagon train in front of the Artists Retreat Center.
Like many Bella Vistans, Robert Oram was making a daily commute into Bentonville and wanted a cup of coffee along the way.
“Services are a little sparse along (U.S. Highway) 71,” he said. So, along with his three partners, Oram decided to do something about it. With his experience in the coffee business, the direction to head was clear.
The cereal part of the new business was contributed by Stephanie Oram, who is a huge fan of cereal, her husband said. They had visited a restaurant in Chicago that specialized in combinations of cereal. They based their creations on that.
With an espresso or latte, patrons can enjoy a combination of Golden Grahams, Apple Jacks and caramel sauce named “apple pie.” Or maybe some road kill made of Cocoa Puffs, Grape Nuts, frosted animal crackers and chocolate sauce.
The cereal comes in wax-covered cardboard that closes over the top — similar to a classic Chinese take-out container. The milk — with choices including soy and almond — is served separately, although the baristas would be happy to pour it onto cereal on request.
“We don’t recommend they eat cereal and drive,” Orman said. “Most of our customers will carry their breakfast in to work and eat it after they get out of their vehicle. It’s no different than buying pancakes at McDonald's — you wouldn’t eat those in the car either,” he said.
The Orams’ two more partners are Travis and Sylvia Norris. They hired a full staff of experienced baristas to run the business day to day. They plan to be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. till noon Saturday and Sunday, but those hours may change as they gain experience, he said.
The trailer was designed and built in Bella Vista, he said. They may add some outdoor seating in the spring, when it’s warm enough to sit outside.
“Our goal is to make sure that we have the right number of people. We have great barista with years of experience,” he said. “We want to make sure we can get the product out as fast as possible.”