Published: September 12, 2008 11:34 pm      

Coffee catering business thrives

EDMOND — In 2005, Tag Dertinger, who was 18-years-old at the time, saw a need for a drive-through espresso stand in Oklahoma similar to the ones he frequented in his home state of Oregon.

However, strict Oklahoma regulations made his dream too difficult and expensive. He then came up with the idea to take coffee to the coffee drinker and opened Dirty Water Coffee Company, an espresso and smoothie catering service.

He bought a coffee bar set up and began renting out his coffee and smoothie making services for parties, businesses and special events.

“A lot of who I see want to treat their staff but have run out of ideas,” Dertinger said. “The really unique thing is it’s their coffee shop for a day.”

The company, which frequently caters to Edmond residents and businesses, quickly grew and Dertinger now has four employees and four coffee bar set ups. Max Radcliffe, Dirty Water Coffee special events coordinator, said Edmond and northwest Oklahoma City account for about 20 percent of their business.

“We can be at four different places at any given day,” Radcliffe said.

Dertinger said they have attended one- to two-hour events or day-long events. The company once sent out two coffee bars to Mercy Hospital for a three-day event. Radcliffe said they often cater to businesses with employees that work night-long shifts. He said their services are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Radcliffe said they typically cater to six to eight events day but have covered up to 10-11. They will travel and cover any event or function in the state.

Dirty Water Coffee offers about 20 flavors that can be combined as desired for frappucchino, latte and hot chocolate drinks. More than half the menu consists of non-coffee drinks, Radcliffe said. They also make a variety of fruit smoothies.

Dertinger said they buy their products from local roasters that buy from fair trade companies and make a lot of their mixes fresh daily.

“Each person can personalize their drink to the extreme,” Radcliffe said.

He said customers always get excited about choosing their own combination of flavors.

Dertinger said they also provide equipment sales, servicing and coffee shop design. He currently has an espresso machine that is on display at a Parade of Homes address. The home tour event begins this weekend across the metro.

The company also helped supply and design a new coffee shop in Fowler Toyota. The business has grown so much he plans to take those three elements and start a second business, he said.

“If it’s got something to do with coffee, we’d like to think we’d be able to help out,” Radcliffe said.

FOR MORE information, visit www.dirtywatercoffee.com.