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Sunrise Coffee Co. Grounds its Mission in Faith

If you’re in search of the perfect springtime coffee flavors, look no further than Sunrise Coffee Co. The company's foundation, rooted in faith and serving community, is woven in each handcrafted drink that's offered—from the delicious hints of raspberry to sweet, savory chocolate. Take a look at what inspired the startup of this quaint coffee trailer.

We’ve reached that time of year when spring has arrived, and for many this means time to peruse and shop for the perfect plants to curate the home landscape and fill the garden. For some, that destination is Everett’s Gardens in Byron Center, where rows of ferns, pines, and ornamental grasses line up and down the establishment. Though, as you walk, tucked amongst the greenery you’ll uncover something unexpected: a quaint little truck that appears to be a food stand at first glance. Except, it’s not a food truck… it’s a coffee trailer. 

This piece of unexpected charm is Sunrise Coffee Co., a business rooted not only in individual accomplishment but in faith. Founded by Brenna VanSolkema and Ashley Diemer, the coffee trailer started as a simple idea that turned into a fully realized masterpiece from their combined imaginations. 

How It Started

The name Sunrise is unique. It traces simply to a message from the Lord himself. “The name was definitely a God thing,” the pair explained. They found inspiration in scripture, specifically from Lamentations 3:22, which states: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” 

“We chose Lamentations 3:22 because it reminds us that God’s love and mercy never ends,” the pair explained. And that last part of the scripture is exactly what prompted the coffee trailer’s name. It’s a reminder that each morning is the start of a new day. And each morning begins with a sunrise. “That’s why we decided to name it Sunrise Coffee Co.,” they said. 

The idea first occurred to Brenna to start a coffee trailer. “She jokingly said, ‘Do you want to start a coffee trailer with me and call it Sunrise Coffee Co?’” Ashley recalled the moment the business felt real. “The next night we had a full business plan in place dreaming this little coffee shop up.”

Not long after, the pair purchased a small 7-foot by 14-foot bare trailer, which they built up to become a place to serve and offer retreat. With the help from DIY tutorials, their husbands, and their trust in the Lord, the coffee trailer was complete. 

The next step was a place to set up shop. They were graciously given a space at Everett’s Gardens, and since then they’ve continued to grow, adding a patio space. “We want to be a place where people can gather, slow down, and enjoy coffee and an açaí bowl together,” Brenna and Ashley said. 

“A lot of people enjoy grabbing a coffee while doing some plant shopping and walking around,” they said. “We are very grateful to Everett’s Gardens and the space that they have created for us here.”

Woman Owned, with Support

Sunrise Coffee Co. is a woman-owned business. “We are proud to be building something together that reflects our faith and heart for the community,” Brenna and Ashley explained. “As much as we would love to say it’s all been us, we would not have been able to make it where we are today without the support and encouragement of our husbands throughout this whole process.” 

It’s More than a Coffee Shop

While coffee is an important part of everyone's daily schedule, it’s also a great pairing with other activities, especially ones that take the time to engage with the Lord. “When we first dreamt up Sunrise Coffee Co., it was more than just coffee,” the duo explained. 

The vision extended far beyond coffee itself. “We wanted the people who came to Sunrise Coffee Co. to feel welcomed, known, and leave feeling encouraged.” A Women’s Bible Study grew from this notion. “This is a space we created for women to grow in faith and encourage each other in the new relationships that are made.” 

The Women’s Bible Study occurs each Wednesday from 11 am to 12 pm on the patio.

The Moment You’ve All Been Waiting for… the Menu

There are plenty of options to choose from, but what really catches the eye are their specialty seasonal beverages. This spring season, such items include their Blueberry French Toast Latte, Raspberry Matcha Latte, Maple Sea Salt Latte, and Toasted Coconut Cold Brew. Back in the fall season, their menu featured their Campfire Latte and Pumpkin Spice Latte. 

As for their acai bowls, there are three options: Berry Bliss, Golden Hour, and Morning Glow. Each bowl contains an acai base with almond or peanut butter, granola, chocolate chips, and fresh fruit servings from strawberries to bananas to blueberries. If you feel so inclined to add in something extra, they offer coconut shavings, chia seeds, white chocolate chips, and honey. 

They also have assorted muffins, hot chocolate, and non-coffee items from matcha to green tea. 

Looking to Stop by Sunrise Coffee Co.?

The trailer is located within Everett's Gardens at 240 84th St. SE, Byron Center, MI 49315. 

Hours: 

7 am to 2 pm Tuesday–Friday 

7:30 am to 2 pm Saturday 

Closed Sunday–Monday

For more information and updates, follow Sunrise Coffee Co. on both the Instagram and Facebook accounts. 

About the author:

Sierra Ozolins is a West Michigan native, currently a student at Hope College. As an athlete, she is passionate about fitness—from running to weightlifting. With a interest for politics and lifestyle, she is intrigued how local culture, community, and everyday events shape the world around her—often with an iced coffee in hand and her dog by her side.

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