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Owner Alexa Hargreave makes a fresh cup of coffee for customers in Old Cahaba at the swimming pool parking lot.

By CONNOR MARTIN-LIVELY | Special to the Reporter

Helena – A new café-on-wheels is hitting the streets in Shelby County. Based out of Helena, Cabin Fever Coffee is a mobile coffee shop that offers specialty coffee drinks and breakfast items for on-the-go customers. The business officially launched with a soft open in Hillsboro in late May, after delaying for some time due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Cabin Fever Coffee hosts a variety of café staples on its menu, including hot and cold beverages and simple food items, such as muffins, Danish and scones. Customers can expect traditional espresso selections, as well as several iced, cold brew-based drinks.

“We’re trying to have something for everyone,” owner Alexa Hargreave said.

Running a rolling coffee shop is a new adventure for Alexa and her husband, Lee, who have spent the last seven years moving from place to place to accommodate Lee’s work. A more stationary job offer for Lee brought the couple to Shelby County, where Alexa began to lay the foundation for what has become Cabin Fever Coffee.

Converting a former UPS truck into a coffee shop was no easy task for the couple, and a great deal of renovating had to be done. “Truthfully,” Alexa said, “everything we did was tough.”

Especially labor intensive was setting up the plumbing in the truck. After the ordeal of rebuilding a truck into a café was done, Cabin Fever Coffee was ready to hit the road, but another obstacle stood in the way.

The COVID-19 pandemic that has forced businesses around the country into temporary closure presented one last hurdle for the new business, and the Hargreaves were at first uncertain about when to open. They considered delaying indefinitely, but were encouraged as they saw communities rallying around local business.

“Seeing the uptick in support for food trucks and small businesses, we thought, ‘why not,’” Hargreave said.

So far, Cabin Fever Coffee has mainly served visitors at farmers markets on Saturdays and guests at private events. The Hargreaves are still looking for areas with high foot traffic in the community.

“I know there are sweet spots out there, we just have to find them,” Alexa said.

The Hargreaves aren’t looking to change the world with their business; they just want to bring positivity to a community that has made them feel at home.

“My husband and I aren’t out to make a million dollars,” Alexa said. “We just want to make an impact on our community. The sense of community in Helena, Alabaster and Pelham is amazing to me.”

Cabin Fever Coffee is available to cater private events, and can be contacted via Facebook or at cabinfevercoffeebhm@gmail.com.

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