This past spring, Edina native Annika Van Nest opened Prickly Pear Coffee Bar, her first business venture—a mobile coffee bar. She characterizes its beginning as something of a whirlwind, stemming from her dream of opening a permanent coffee shop location that also serves as a yoga studio and ministry center. “[Her dream shop] will have constant exercise classes, serve unique drinks and host Bible studies, kids’ camps and fundraisers,” Van Nest says.
“My boyfriend casually mentioned that a mobile coffee bar … could be a stepping stone toward my dream. I took what he said farther than he expected … Before I knew it, all the equipment was showing up on my doorstep, and I was starting a business,” Van Nest says.
Her next step is studying ministry and social entrepreneurship at Belmont University in Nashville. Van Nest will take Prickly Pear Coffee Bar on the road.
“We already have a few events lined up [in Nashville], including farmers markets and pop-ups with local boutiques,” Van Nest says.
Van Nest plans to bring Prickly Pear Coffee Bar back to Minnesota when she returns next summer and is set to feature new specialty beverages, as well as fan-favorites, including the honey lavender latte and raspberry ginger limeade.
Prickly Pear Coffee
Instagram: @pricklypearcoffee
