Providing the Buzz for Holiday Shoppers

It’s four days until Christmas and like every year, the holiday shopping list hasn’t even been touched! We pulled up in front of The Local Line in Red Bank, NJ to give that much needed buzz for holiday shoppers. The Local Line exists to showcase handmade goods from artists and craftswomen and men in New Jersey. 2nd Rule brought bags of fresh OSO Coffee with the roaster, Brandon, himself for the coffee lovers who enjoy locally roasted beans. The folks who lived in the apartments above the shop were surprised to come downstairs to be met with a pop up coffee cart! It always makes people smile.

Thank you Kristen Stahl for enjoying our presence!

Slinging Coffee for South Africa at Emmaus Coffeehouse

2nd Rule’s latest event to date! (Latest as in the time of the evening.) Going strong into midnight, Emmaus brought on incredible talent after talent at its fundraising coffeehouse. The proceeds from the event went to help support a missions team to South Africa to bring resources and connect faith-filled relationships. The most popular drink that night was the Mexican Hot Chocolate, a new recipe that I’d perfected earlier that week. Second to that were the good ol’ yummy cappuccinos. I was a solo-barista that night but my La Spaziale espresso machine and I loved the constant, steady pressure. Thomas jumped in and handled the Square register like a champ! Coffeehouses are dope. They bring together people which is the most elevating experience about coffee.

Thank you Debset Kim for bringing 2nd Rule in! Photos by elikay.pro.

Craft Coffee and Craft Goods on Broad Street

Winter on Broad Street is a magical outdoor winter festival that happens annually in Red Bank, NJ. There’s music, an outdoor ice rink, and tons of activities. I grew up in the town next to Red Bank, and often ate at Surf Taco on Broad St. with friends during high school years, so being back in town with 2nd Rule felt dream-like! Brandon was my co-barista that day, who recently started his own roasting company, OSO Coffee.

2nd Rule popped up in front of The Local Line which is a store that features hundreds of Jersey-local artists. You’ll find unique treasures, handmade homegoods, and custom artwork. It was freezing but we had fun slinging hot chocolate, mocha lattes, and free drip coffee. Serving our craft alongside a powerful small business is just the kind of partnerships we love.

Thank you Kristen Stahl for having us!

Thanksgiving at Elijah's Soup Kitchen: Coming Full Circle

When I was an auditor with BDO, something I always desired was to bring our resources to positively benefit the underserved. (I suppose this was really a desire of mine before being an auditor.) Back then, I had organized a volunteer event for us accountants to get off our asses and enjoy new company at Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick, NJ. They’re a local non-profit that is dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty.

This year, as an independent owner and operator of 2nd Rule, I got to return to Elijah’s Promise on Thanksgiving morning. I certainly wasn’t independent in serving the hundreds of guests who came that day for brunch! Sue, my best friend, and Yasmeena, my former barista co-worker joined me in bringing delicious cappuccinos and lattes out to everyone. It was also the first day that 2nd Rule got to make espresso drinks from its beautiful La Spaziale espresso machine! This thing pulls espresso like no other and there was no better event than this to debut the beast.

Thank you Chef Curtis and Drew McClendon for having us alongside you!

The Perfect Blend Bridal Shower

No brunch spread is complete without a coffee bar! This particular bridal shower was particularly special because I was celebrating my best friend, Jinhee. She’s the type of loving friend that will make sure you’re fed well beyond comfort, and then take away all the dishes to handwash them before you even realize what’s going on. Having hot coffee available throughout the afternoon is important for guests to enjoy at their leisure. After all, coffee is good during a hot breakfast and also afterwards with a scrumptious pastry.

First Day of Fall at Highland Park's Arts in the Park Festival

A perfectly sunny and breezy day set the landscape for the first day of Fall. Erik, my co-barista, joined me again as we welcomed 2nd Rule’s first outdoor event! Cold brew on draft was flowing like a fountain. Familiar faces of the neighborhood came to the coffee cart to get their refreshing brew. Incredible local vendors filled the streets. Artists, craftsmen and women, performers, and my personal favorite food truck— Mollaga Grill.

Thank you Main Street Highland Park for having us and always organizing community oriented events!

Mat-side Coffee at FUJI 2019 NJ Championship

This Brazilian jiu jitsu tournament was an exciting one for myself and my co-barista, Erik. He and I both work as baristas at Penstock Coffee Roasters. Erik is the kind of guy that will ask you random questions that make you laugh and also think, “Is he insane?” He’s also the most proactive and tidy barista you’ll ever meet who will work with you like a personal broker to find exactly the kind of coffee you enjoy.

We took turns running from the coffee cart to the mat to watch athletes compete. It was his first time watching people grapple. When people come up to the cart excitedly having never seen a traveling coffee bar, it really makes the experience fulfilling.

It was great to engage with folks who had a serious interest in specialty coffee at the event, including the organizer of FUJI NJ, Tim Morthland, who wants to someday open his open coffee company that supports the sport. Thank you Tim for having us!

Fueling Grapplers at FUJI's August 2019 NY Championship

Our first pop-up was at FUJI’s Brazilian jiu jitsu championship in NY. It was only appropriate because 2nd Rule’s fist bump logo was inspired by it. My co-barista for the day was Christian, founder of Alpha Fitness United, who I met on the training mats in this very sport in 2018. He and I both quit our corporate careers to engineer our own fulfilling lifestyles, so it was an honor to have him behind the bar with me. He said his “barista level is Folgers", but anyone who was served by him that day would’ve said that getting a cup from him was a delight.

2nd Rule had particularly special visitors, like Jen, my cousin, and Francis, my former manager from my public accounting days. They say you’ll never forget your first customers!— ours was a family who arrived to the championship a little too early that morning and purchased 4 cups while we were still setting up. That day we quickly ran out of coffee and milk.. way earlier than we expected and lesson learned! The environment of Brazilian jiu jitsu is always energizing to be around.

Thank you to the organizer of FUJI NY, Allan Bernstein, for having us!