Erika Kappes Brews Lake Life Coffee Success And Serves Creative Drinks Across Lakeland & Beyond

In this episode of The Fargo Five, host Conrad Fargo sits down with Erika Kappes, owner of Lake Life Coffee and sales coordinator at UC Hope Thrift Store, for a detailed look at how she turned an idea into a fully licensed mobile coffee business in Minnesota’s lake country. Erika shares how the concept began over a year ago after noticing the limited coffee options at her parents’ lake area, deciding to convert her father’s old construction trailer into a custom-built coffee trailer with the help of her husband. From navigating county health inspections and plumbing requirements to installing stainless steel counters, a three-compartment sink, and a dedicated handwashing station, Erika reveals the behind-the-scenes process of meeting Minnesota’s strict mobile food unit regulations.

Listeners hear how Erika initially tested the waters with a coffee cart—limited to 10 events per year—while her trailer was still under construction, setting up at local spots like the Roadhouse parking lot, U Motors near Pelican Zorbas, and McLaughlin’s Landing. She describes her rotation of weekend lakeside locations, weekday events in Glendon, and special appearances at venues like Shields Arena’s Shop the Lot. Erika also talks about her creative drink offerings, including the crowd favorite “Red Bull Frog,” an energy drink creation flavored with syrups, alongside iced coffees, cold brews, and espresso-based drinks.

The conversation shifts to Erika’s role with UC Hope, a nonprofit serving the Dilworth–Glyndon–Felton community. She explains how she began as a volunteer, eventually taking on the role of coordinating sales from large post-holiday retail donations. Using platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and even live sales on the Whatnot app, she’s helped turn donated goods into funding for UC Hope’s programs. She also details UC Hope’s thrift store in Glendon, known for its low prices and wide variety of clothing, home goods, and furniture, as well as the organization’s low overhead thanks to a donated building and volunteer staff.

Throughout the interview, Erika discusses balancing her part-time position at Gate City Bank with running Lake Life Coffee and managing her nonprofit commitments, all while raising a blended family of six children. Conrad and Erika explore the similarities between banking and coffee service—especially in customer interaction—and the differences that make her new venture so fulfilling. They talk about the challenges of scheduling, the joys of lakeside business days, and the practical realities of scaling down a traditional job to grow a passion project.