November 24, 2024
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The Bean Box is coming to Utica, it’s official

Village Board OKs coffee business in Airstream-style trailer

By Tom Collins
The Bean Box is coming to Utica, but it won't look like this. The Utica Village Board voted Thursday, April 13, 2023, to approve petitions to open a satellite coffee stand but in an Airstream.

The Bean Box is coming to Utica, but it won't look like this. The Utica Village Board voted Thursday, April 13, 2023, to approve petitions to open a satellite coffee stand but in an Airstream. (Tom Collins)

The Bean Box received the OK to open a new location in Utica.

On Thursday, the Utica Village Board voted 5-0, with Trustee Kylie Mattioda absent, to approve petitions by Chris and Ann Duffy, who want to place an “Airstream-style” trailer across from the village police department for drive-up and walk-up coffee service.

Chris Duffy previously said the effort is a partnership with the owner of the Bean Box, which operates coffee stands in La Salle and Spring Valley, and offers similar products.

The Village Board approved, although trustees were wary of setting a precedent that would usher in food trucks. Ann Duffy assured the board that food preparation was off the table.

“The trailer is not equipped to make food, so that is not happening,” she said. “It can’t.”

Instead, the business will include some pre-packaged snacks. Customers typically will be in and out within two minutes.