Our Story...
Union Coffee & Dough was born during lockdown. Two friends decided to bake sourdough bread and deliver around Hemel, Apsley and Kings Langley. There was nowhere where the community could just take a short walk to get a takeaway coffee.
And so they thought, how about we set up a coffee business?
The pair didn’t have enough funds to have a proper coffee shop so quickly decided on a very quaint and efficient, possibly even cute, coffee truck.
Gabi and Flavia have been friends since 2006, friends for 18 years, and it was at the point of this crazy idea to set up a coffee truck, that Little Union Coffee & Dough was born. Both from Brazil, they know a thing or two about Coffee!
Apsley Marina was just empty, yes it had a couple of restaurants and a very popular family shop, however it appeared to lack a beating heart of community. The Truck has appeared to have filled that spot. Now, looking back, we can’t see this place without the truck in it! And we hope the community feels exactly the same. The Truck is like a part of everything here now. People come and they just like to be around it, and we see that people are making friends so we have kind of become part of their story as well. The community come here to chat, exchange ideas and for general day to day sharing of news and wellbeing. It really has become something quite unique.
Our little truck that we love so much is very tiny, we think we’ve made a miracle out of this van, and the space we have, to provide great homemade and quality bakes in a friendly and chilled space.
What we heard from the community was that this is great, but it’d be really nice if we also had a place where we could come, sit down, bring some friends, or maybe work from this place.
Then a shop that is literally 10 steps away from the truck became available.
And our dream to open a coffee shop became a reality.
But it costs a lot of money and that’s where we are hoping to get the community’s support.
So, we are hoping to raise £25,000, that will go towards the equipment, the refurbishment and of course the main star of the coffee shop which will be our lovely new coffee machine.
Now we are not simply entering into a request for donation, we are however making a call to action, and in exchange for this help we are offering different types of rewards. These range from having your name on our supporters wall, a coffee every day of the year, our signature cup and every time you bring the cup you get discounts on your hot drinks.
We are hoping to open at the end of April, Flavia and Gabi are so so happy and excited. We’d really appreciate it if you could visit our crowdfunding page and support our dream become true.
The Future: The Shop and The Truck, what will be the difference?
With the opening of the new shop, we plan to operate the New Shop, Union Coffee & Dough, and the Truck, Little Union Coffee & Dough, in its current location and operate it as a lighter version of the shop! Same great spirit, just presented in a cute truck.
Union Coffee & Dough - Simple High Quality Coffee & Bakes Shop
Union Coffee & Dough is a Simple High Quality Coffee and Bakeshop with a focus on delivering Organic Coffee, artisanal bread, delectable pastries, and savoury treats. Embracing a strong community ethos, the business is dedicated to fostering the well-being and prosperity of the local area. Beyond providing exceptional baked goods and beverages, Union Coffee & Dough aims to create a warm and welcoming space where the community can gather, connect, and thrive together.
Working with other great local suppliers, Union Coffee & Dough has aspirations to be the go to place for great quality baked goods in Apsley.
Little Union Coffee & Dough - Petite Bakes on the go!
Little Union Coffee & Dough is a Petite Coffee Truck situated along a bustling canal towpath, offering the local community a lighter menu. High-quality Organic coffee, delectable pastries, and savoury items, in an “on-the-go, fashion.’ With a strong commitment to community well-being, It provides a meeting point for local community groups.
The Truck aims to contribute to the thriving local area. During the summer, the Coffee Truck transforms into Apsley Beach, a charming canal-front destination adorned with deck chairs and tables, providing a unique and inviting space for customers to enjoy their beverages and treats in a relaxed outdoor setting.