In a delightful intersection of passion and entrepreneurship, Eleni Koliopoulos, a Bruton High School graduate, has embarked on a journey to fulfill her dream of owning a coffee business. With the launch of her mobile coffee and soda truck, Sip & Smile, she is bringing joy and refreshing beverages to communities across Greater Williamsburg.
Koliopoulos attributes the inspiration for her venture to her love for coffee and delightful drinks. “Every part of my day includes a coffee or yummy drink,” she shared. “I used to daydream of owning my own place. Good drinks make me feel good, and I just wanted to be that for someone else.”
With invaluable assistance from her father, a licensed counselor with bartending experience, Koliopoulos transformed an old van into the mobile truck, officially opening Sip & Smile in January to serve various communities on the Peninsula.
“I couldn’t do this without the support of my dad,” she reflected. “He was the action behind all of this.”
Sip & Smile serves an array of coffee options, including flavored lattes, along with “dirty sodas,” which Koliopoulos describes as “a soda or energy drink that you dress up like a latte.” These beverages have gained popularity on the West Coast, and she aims to introduce them to the East Coast.
Popular items include the cookie butter latte, salted maple and caramel latte, the original dirty soda featuring Coke, lime, vanilla, and coconut creamer, and the Pink Slush Alani, made with strawberry, vanilla, and cream.
“Those are selling like crazy,” she noted. “The best part of this so far has been the reactions from people. I love that everybody loves the truck. There are not that many mobile coffee shops, and people recognize us by our mint-green striped truck. Patrons have been visiting weekly, some even daily.”
Koliopoulos manages Sip & Smile about five days a week while working part-time as a counselor. Along with a staff of seven, she caters to customers in Williamsburg, York, Gloucester counties, Hampton, and Newport News.
The truck typically stops in Williamsburg twice a week, often found in the parking lot of Rodeway Inn on Richmond Road. Sip & Smile will also participate as a vendor at this year’s 2nd Sundays Art & Musical Festival.
“I love the fact that I can move around with this business,” Koliopoulos expressed. “I want a couple more trucks. I would love to have a whole fleet of Sip & Smile trucks one day.”
For more details about Sip & Smile and its weekly schedule, follow them on Facebook.
Key Takeaways
- Eleni Koliopoulos has launched a mobile coffee and soda truck, Sip & Smile, fulfilling her dream of owning a beverage business.
- The truck serves a variety of coffee drinks and “dirty sodas,” offering unique flavors to patrons.
- Popular menu items include cookie butter and salted caramel lattes, as well as themed dirty sodas.
- Koliopoulos operates the business with a supportive team, reaching several areas, including Williamsburg and Newport News.
- Sip & Smile plans to participate in local festivals, enhancing community engagement.
- The truck’s distinctive mint-green stripes have made it popular among regular customers.
1st Advantage Federal Credit Union building new location in York County
1st Advantage Federal Credit Union recently announced plans to relocate its Grafton branch to a new facility at 8014 George Washington Memorial Highway in the Patriots Square Shopping Center. 1st Advantage will also consolidate services from its Fort Eustis branch in the new space in York County, which is expected to open in 2027.
The new branch will provide expanded services and greater convenience for members, according to a recent release.
“We are incredibly excited about the opportunity to serve our members in this new location,” said Paul Muse, president and CEO of 1st Advantage. “By bringing together our Grafton Branch and Ft. Eustis Branch operations, we’re able to invest in a state-of-the-art facility that represents our commitment to investing in the communities we serve and creating spaces that make banking easier, more comfortable, and more accessible for our members.”
Grand opening set for Grocery Outlet
A grand opening event is planned for April 9 for the new Grocery Outlet Bargain Market at 208 Monticello Ave. in Midtown Row.
The new discount grocery store is taking over the space formerly occupied by Earthfare. Grocery Outlet, a bargain supermarket chain, opened its first store in California in 1946. The store purchases mostly closeout or seasonal merchandise directly from manufacturers and offers staples such as meat, dairy products, and bread at discounted prices.
The Williamsburg location will open at 8 a.m., with the first 100 customers receiving a gift card. A ribbon cutting ceremony will follow at 10 a.m. For more information, visit Williamsburg Grocery Outlet on Facebook.
Dots and Dashes
• Bare Necessities Wax Studio is now open at 601 E. Merrimac Trail in the James-York Plaza and is accepting new clients. For more information, visit its Facebook page.
• KhunYa’s Thai Street Food is now open at 6610F Mooretown Road in the Victory Village Shopping Center. For more information, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net
FAQ
What inspired Eleni Koliopoulos to start Sip & Smile?
Her love for coffee and the desire to share enjoyable beverages with others motivated her to launch the business.
Where can I find the Sip & Smile truck?
The truck typically operates in Williamsburg, York, and Gloucester counties, as well as in Hampton and Newport News.
What types of drinks does Sip & Smile offer?
Sip & Smile serves a variety of coffee drinks, including flavored lattes, and creative “dirty sodas.”
