Krazy Kup debuted its latest venture, a shave ice truck, at the shop’s third anniversary party Saturday, Nov. 19.
The Krazy Kup crew is hitting the streets.
The downtown-based coffeehouse owned by Frank and Wenda Trunzo celebrated its third anniversary Saturday, Nov. 19. The milestone was commemorated by a party that included face painting, a balloon artist and live music.
It also served as the unveiling of the shop’s latest addition: the Krazy Ice truck.
While Krazy Kup is known for serving up local java to a loyal clientele, the shop also offers wraps, baked goods, ice cream and shave ice.
The Trunzos were inspired to bring shave ice into their shop after one of over 40 trips to Hawaii, where shave ice is a prominent and beloved treat.
“We thought the truck could be a great billboard,” Frank Trunzo said. After having the initial idea for a truck over one year ago, he designed the artwork on the truck. It was brought to life by a Brooksville-based graphics company. “I’m pretty pleased with the way it turned out. It just comes to you, you get a vision. It’s about the pop.”
One side of the truck is painted orange, dotted with coffee beans along one side. As Frank Trunzo anticipated, the truck is a rolling advertisement. Krazy Kup’s drinks, wraps and live music are painted on one side, along with the shop’s phone number. The serving side of the truck is decorated with snowflakes and the truck’s growing menu.
A list of shave ice flavors — the truck’s primary focus — are tacked to the window.
“The shave ice goes to the customer,” Frank Trunzo said. “The customer doesn’t come to it. Shave ice is a great
product, but it does not get the bounce in a coffeehouse that we initially thought it might.”
The Trunzos determined that they would be more likely to sell the frozen treat along Plant City streets. The Krazy Ice truck will typically be located within a 5-mile radius of Krazy Kup. The family anticipates using the truck during downtown’s various food truck rallies and car and bike shows.
“It may be manned outside of Krazy Kup,” Frank Trunzo said. “When it’s around, people will see it. It’s equipped with lights, flags and loudspeakers.”
The Trunzos have focused on high-quality flavors and ingredients for the Krazy Ice truck. Out of the 11 shave ice flavors offered, three are natural.
“As is everything in Krazy Kup, we serve the best we could find,” Wenda Trunzo said.
Regular caffeine addicts know the shop on east J. Arden Mays Boulevard serves more than just food and drink. The back room serves as study space, and the building’s second floor has been converted into a performance venue for Christian bands and singers.
Like the shop itself, the truck will offer a variety of cool treats. While only shave ice was served at Krazy Kup’s third anniversary party, the Trunzos have plans to eventually serve Kold Brew Koffee out of the truck, as well as their unique Krazy Kicker.
“That’s our Kold Brew on steroids,” Wenda Trunzo said. “It’s a highly concentrated Kold Brew.”
The Trunzos attribute the growing success of their shop to the support of the Plant City community.
“It’s unbelievable,” Frank Trunzo said. “Three years. It seems like three months. We’ve accomplished a lot here, but we didn’t do it without the support of the people that come here. We’ve really had local support. This city’s embraced us.”
“We have become more embedded in the community,” Wenda Trunzo added. “It’s much more rewarding than a monetary value. Our staff is the best too, every single one of them. People have always made a point to come by just to support us, and they still do. We haven’t felt alone.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
