The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Honeymoon idea turned into mobile bar business
BRANFORD — Tara Capelli said she can’t wait to tell her one-year-old daughter that someday — even on her honeymoon — if she comes up with a business idea, she “can bring it to life and make it a reality.”
That’s the way it happened for Capelli.
When she was honeymooning in Italy five years ago with husband Anthony Capelli, she noted there were many small trucks around and wouldn’t it be “cool” to sell prosecco out of such a vehicle.
One pandemic, one child, Ava Rose, and lots of pandemic realizations later, Tara Capelli now owns Cork & Craft, a prosecco and craft beer bar on wheels for rent that’s getting lots of party time.
“I want to set the example for my daughter,” Capelli said of making her own business dream come true.
Why prosecco — an Italian sparkling wine — and craft beer?
“I’m a lover of prosecco and I thought it would be
awesome to have a prosecco bar on wheels, and my husband loves craft beer,” she said.
The business isn’t limited to those drink selections, as folks can customize their liquor and nonalcoholic selections to the vehicle’s six taps, kegs and a free-standing bar that can be set up nearby. The vehicle has a cooling system to keep the drinks cold.
The vehicle also can be decorated for any occasion.
Tara Capelli uses a three-wheeled electric vehicle, an “eTuk” commonly used by vendors, that’s custom designed and usually is brought to their gigs by trailer, although the vehicle is Department of Transportation compliant and can be driven in Branford.
Capelli said they’re willing to operate the business all year — even in cold weather — and even can go in houses with French doors, garages or any other access because the vehicle doesn’t emit fumes.
“I love making our clients happy and being a female business owner. … I love being able to meet new people – our clients, vendors,” she said. “We like to celebrate every event after the year we’ve had (with the COVID-19 pandemic).
There’s no party too big or small.”
Melanie Torres of Derby, who recently threw a surprise 60th birthday for her mother, said she grappled with making it BYOB or just buying liquor at a package store, but when she heard about Capelli’s business, chose that option — and was glad she did.
“Everybody was like, ‘Oh, my God. This is a great idea. They should have this at every party,’” Torres said.
“I loved it. … It took away a lot of the stress (of planning the party),” she said.
Torres chose two beers, sangria and seltzer for her taps — that’s what mom likes — and said she loved that the bartender suggested putting seltzer in the sangria for bubbly.
Cheryl Hodina of Tolland used Cork & Craft for her daughter’s bridal shower in July after the maid of honor found it online. She said Tara Capelli was professional, easy to work with and prompt with requested documentation.
“It made for a very nice presentation and something for people to remember” Hodina said. “I couldn’t be happier; I hope they take off.”
Tara Capelli said business is bustling and they’ve booked all kinds of celebrations, including weddings, birthday parties, showers and corporate events since they finally got on the road in September 2020 after pandemic delays.
Although she officially owns the business, husband Anthony — a medical device salesman by day — often pitches in with her tending bar.
“I think for me, most importantly, I enjoy seeing my wife enjoy and accomplish what she set out to do,” Anthony Capelli said.
The business isn’t limited to those drink selections, as folks can customize their liquor and nonalcoholic selections to the vehicle’s six taps, kegs and a free-standing bar that can be set up nearby. The vehicle has a cooling system to keep the drinks cold.
“She has a flourishing business; I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Seeing his wife’s work up close, Anthony Capelli said the wedding/party planning business is a more “detail-oriented” than he thought and believes their service is “the focal point” for events.
The price of the service isn’t cheap and doesn’t include the alcohol, but it varies with package deals and in some cases hourly rates of $500 per hour with a minimum of two hours. The prices include setup, serving and cleanup. While mobile bars can operate without a liquor license — requiring the party host to make the liquor purchase — Tara Capelli’s business does have a special liquor permit, Anthony Capelli said.
She started going for the dream in September 2019, after she discovered the eTuk vehicle. She had it customized and intended to do the cart part-time in addition to her full-time job.
Then in March 2020 the pandemic hit and her first planned events were canceled. Capelli was pregnant, working her administrative job from home, so she took that time to go deeper into marketing the mobile bar business.
By the time the world opened up again, Ava Rose was born and Capelli had spent more time home with her than she thought she would be able to, deciding to keep it up.
Capelli said she “got too caught up in the 9-5” work scene and until the pandemic had been hesitant to take risks even though she grew up the daughter of a business owner.
She quit her job and is now focused on the mobile bar business.
“I think this past year we all learned time with your family is the most important thing,” she said.