Today we’d like to introduce you to Alin & Roee Erenshteyn.
Alin & Roee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Four years ago, we left our home country to start a new life in the U.S. We moved here with two very small kids and five extra large suitcases. When we arrived in California, we told our little ones this would be an adventure for all of us to share together as a family. As we settled into our new jobs in the San Francisco Bay Area, we were grateful and busy – but we were also missing the creative, entrepreneurial spark that we shared while living back home.
In our past lives, we were what some might call small “big-time” entrepreneurs. Roee ran a coffee catering company for ten years and I (Alin) owned and managed my own fitness studio. The common thread wasn’t coffee or exercise, it was people. We yearned again for those special moments that we shared with friends, family and newcomers that inspire conversation and learning. Roee’s expert barista talents combined with my passion for curating the perfect coffee & treat pairings lead us to create Afuga Mobile Espresso Bar – a full-service Italian-inspired coffee experience for every occasion.
When our third daughter was born, we have opened Afuga Coffee. We were working constantly – hosting our mobile coffee bar at corporate events, high-budget productions, conferences and weddings throughout California. Guests and families gathered around our coffee bar to share meaningful moments and conversations over coffee – it was magical!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Right, when we felt like we were at our absolute busiest, COVID-19 became a reality and all events were canceled. We found ourselves without any income but with a lot of obligations and payments. We knew we would need to be creative and strong, so we decided to combine our coffee with other small businesses’ artisanal products and created a premium gift boxes for both retail and custom corporate orders.
Afuga in a Box was our solution to the pandemic’s work-from-home shift. Major companies wanted to reward and encourage their employees throughout this isolation period and we were there to provide that. During the past year, Afuga in a Box designed, customized, packaged and shipped thousands of coffee-themed gift boxes to hundreds of companies and their employees through our online store.
Even bigger changes were still to come. We decided that because there were no in-person events and the fact we worked from home, Afuga Coffee could operate from anywhere. So when we visited Austin in October 2021 and fell in love with this city, We have decided to move our home HQ here! There is so much that we love about Austin: friendly people from all over the world who love to be outdoors, the drink & foodie scene, the live music, the incredible lake – everything together feels like home to us.
At the end of August 2021, we signed our lease for an East Austin coffee shop space that will open in early 2022. Afuga Coffee plans to be East Austin’s new lakeside gathering spot for locals and visitors. Whether grabbing coffee with friends after biking or jogging the lake – or needing a peaceful & clean space to work remotely – Afuga is the coffee break spot for everyone. Our goal is to create a fun & engaged community around coffee. From quality ingredients to expertly crafted Italian espresso to coffee education classes and gift boxes – our brick-and-mortar shop will have it all!
After weathering the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s finally time for all of us return to the things in like life that bring us joy. For us, it has always been coffee. Those carefully brewed drops of joy that help create moments connect people and bring smiles to their faces. So “cheers!” to this new adventure with us at Afuga Coffee.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Afuga is a full coffee experience that operates in three ways: Afuga events is a mobile coffee and espresso bar based in Austin TX, that serves the finest craft coffee with impeccable service, offering a unique and memorable touch for private and corporate events.
Afuga In a Box provides the perfect coffee or tea gift experience from the comfort of your home! Whether you want to celebrate one special person or an entire work team – we design custom-curated drink experiences complete with artisanal chocolate, biscotti, baked goods and so much more!
Afuga Coffee, our brick & mortar location, plans to be East Austin’s new lakeside gathering spot for locals and visitors. Whether grabbing coffee with friends after biking or jogging the lake – or needing a peaceful & clean space to work remotely – Afuga is the coffee break spot for everyone.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our organic oak roasted beans, premium products, and beautiful presentation.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We are a family-owned business and so excited to share our passion for coffee and make people smile!
Contact Info:
- Email: coffee@afugaevents.com
- Website: https://afugaevents.com/, https://afugainabox.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afugacoffee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Afugacoffee
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/afuga-coffee-austin
Image Credits
Family photos by: Jen Kandziora photography Vineyard photos by: Myrtle photography
