The smell of coffee isn’t wafting through the rooms of the Krazy Kup yet. The new coffeehouse next to the Whistle Stop Cafe in downtown Plant City won’t open until Oct. 19. But, the décor already is bringing a warm feel to the building’s historic charm.
“We want a place for Plant City to come and chill out,” owner Frank Trunzo says. “Just a really super fun place to hang.”
Funky lamps light up the coffeehouse. Soft rays also ooze through a rare stained-glass window above the menu boards and redone glass blocks in the back windows inspired by modern cubism. Vintage posters dot the walls. Authentic antiques, such as toy trains and a book press, sit on display.
Each room and wall has a different theme. Some walls have car memorabilia hangings, others pay homage to motorcycles. The “L-Cove” is dedicated to cowboys.
“We designed the rooms to have different moods,” Trunzo says. “We’re trying to be a hybrid and bring all that together.”
It’s no secret that Trunzo and his wife, Wenda, have put a lot of work into the building, which they purchased. The back room has been made into a trendy study space, aimed at attracting students. A 1963 restored jukebox sits on one wall, tempting diners for a play.
Next to the lounge is a conference room outfitted with anything a business person would need to make a presentation. The Trunzos are working on getting a hall of fame set up in the conference room to memorialize influential Plant City residents.
Upstairs, the Trunzos are redoing the office spaces, setting up a concession stand and an area for a house band. Both their sons, Jacob and Joshua, play instruments.
The Trunzos got the inspiration for the décor from their many travels. They’ve visited coffeehouses all over the world. Some of their favorites are in Hawaii.
So, it makes sense that some of the coffee being sold at Krazy Kup will be from the Hawaiian Islands, including Kona and Oahu. They also will carry beans from a nearby roaster in St. Pete.
The employees will be trained to make coffee the more traditional way. Automated machines won’t be used.
“It’s more hand-crafted,” Wenda says. “We want to present it the way it’s supposed to be.”
Coffee will range from $3 to $5.
In addition to coffee, the Trunzos also are planning to carry pastries, scones and muffins from local bakeries, sandwiches and wraps and even shaved ice.
The mascot for the shaved ice is Duke, a famous Hawaiian surfer. A small statue of Duke sits above the ice machine.
It has been a longtime dream for Frank to open up his own coffeehouse. Since 1991, the couple has collected interesting antiques and items, in case they ever started their own coffeehouse. As auctioneers, the Trunzos were able to pick out the most eclectic collection of accessories.
Finally, the Trunzos decided to act on their scheme.
“We are having fun with it,” Wenda says. “This has been a labor of love.”
“This is kind of our dream,” Frank says. “It’s something we always wanted to do.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
BASICS
ADDRESS: 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd.
TENTATIVE HOURS: 8:10 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10:33 a.m. to 10:33 p.m. Saturdays
PHONE NUMBER: (813) 752-1220