It’s 7:30 a.m. on a brisk Saturday, and an eager group of java enthusiasts are standing in line to get their favorite cup of morning delight. Perhaps you think these folks are queued up at a chain store recognized by its ubiquitous mermaid logo. Or maybe you believe they are in downtown Fuquay at one of the popular independent hangouts.
You’d be wrong.
These devotees have ventured to Dupre’s Coffee & Company, a 1964 Shasta camper turned mobile coffee shop tucked in the back corner of the parking lot of Century 21 Triangle Group’s office at 401 N. Judd Parkway in the Quay.
Open Saturdays and Sundays since last April, this humble outpost has gained a cultlike following — so much so that Dupre’s just earned Best Coffee Maggy Award honors from the discerning readers of Main & Broad.
Think about that for a moment: A beverage-centric business that’s open just two days a week — not even a brick-and-mortar place — has won the hearts and palates of locals.
So why is this tiny talk of the town such a beloved destination?
Two reasons: awesome coffee and kindhearted proprietors, and not necessarily in that order.
Co-founders Annet and Jason (Jay) Dupre, who have been married for 15 years, put love and care into every cup of coffee they serve, turning their shared aspiration into a bustling weekend enterprise.
Originally from New York, Annet grew up with a penchant for baking and an appreciation for good coffee.
“The idea (for Dupre’s) came to life because I have a passion for coffee, and I love serving people in the community,” says Annet, who works in the construction industry on weekdays.
Interestingly, Jay, also an Empire State native, doesn’t drink coffee. But he does relish the aroma of the beans, and he understands the mass appeal of a great cup of joe.
After exploring the idea of a portable coffee shop, the Dupres found a vintage camper for sale on craigslist. “Like everything about our coffee camper business, we believe it was meant to be,” says Jay.
When it came to sourcing product, the Dupres met Scott Conary, president of Carrboro Coffee Roasters, and were blown away by his knowledge and commitment to procuring the finest beans available.
The small-batch artisan roaster has direct relationships with farmers around the world. Dupre’s signature roast comes from fourth-generation farmers in the lush, high-altitude Acatenango region of Guatemala.
“We get fresh coffee beans every week,” Annet says. “You can taste the difference.”
“We also refuse to compromise on quality,” adds Jay.
What started with just 10 cups of coffee sold on their first Saturday in business has swelled to thousands of cups purchased each month.
Popular items include the signature Spring Breeze latte with caramel, coconut, and vanilla syrup along with two shots of espresso and the Salted Pistachio Cream Cold Brew infused with salted caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pistachio cream cold foam.
Insider tip: The shop sells 32-ounce growlers of concentrated cold brew, but availability is limited
Once strawberries are in season later this spring, be sure to check out Dupre’s exceptional Strawberry Patch coffee drink — liquid bliss in a cup.
“I get local strawberries from Porter Farms, puree them down and add espresso,” Annet shares with a warm smile. “It’s so good.”
In addition to java, Dupre’s offers chai, matcha, hot chocolate, hot tea, and popular iced refreshers. Credit Jay for inventive concoctions like Arctic Blast, a lemonade infused with blue raspberry and blackberry, plus options like peach tea and strawberry lemonade.
“We can customize whatever people want,” Jay says.
Complimentary water with cucumber, lemon, and mint is available while you wait.
Dupre’s tempting baked goods include cupcakes, scones, muffins, brownies, and more.
Annet bakes nearly every food item on the menu except for gluten-free doughnuts. The Dupres have a commercial kitchen at their home and are licensed with the state to serve baked goods.
Annet once owned a bakery in Georgia; her nickname was Bakie.
Prepping for the weekend starts on Tuesday. The pair observes a 4:30 a.m. wake-up every Saturday and Sunday.
Daughters Amanda (14) and Emma (10) help with prep and cleanup. In exchange, Annet and Jay allow the girls to keep tips received from customers.
On average, the owners use just over 100 pounds of coffee each month.
Snapshot of success: In January alone, the coffee camper attracted 623 new customers and saw return visits from 372 regulars.
Although people come in droves for coffee and other treats, many tend to linger and converse with Annet and Jay. It’s uplifting to see the connections the Dupres develop with their clientele.
“We always put our customers ahead of our business and consider them like members of our family,” Jay says. “We genuinely care about them and want to hear about what’s happening in their lives. People openly share personal news with us like when they land a new job, get engaged to be married, or find out they are expecting a baby.”
Annet concurs.
“We always try to be welcoming and truly value each person who comes here,” she says. “We’re so grateful for the amazing support the community has given us. We put our hearts and souls into what we do. The love that people feel from us is pure, and I want that to come through every time I hand them a cup of coffee.”
@duprescoffeeco
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