The Cortez-based Silver Bean coffee shop has expanded operations to the Dolores River Campground.
The company’s Little Bean – a smaller Airstream trailer transformed into a coffee shop – now serves campers and passers-by at the popular campground, just outside Dolores at 18680 Colorado 145.
Manager Steve Marty serves up fresh drip coffee, homemade burritos, pastries and bagels Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
“We wanted to put it to good use, and our friends own this campground, so it was a perfect fit to help serve their customers,” he said.
Steve Marty’s wife, Monica, makes the vegetarian and sausage burritos, as well as the pastries and homemade bagels.
She also owns a mobile wood-fired pizza and catering business, The Sweetwater Gypsies, which sets up at the campground every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Campground owner Lainey Beyhan is happy to offer additional amenities.
“We invite the public to come on out and enjoy pizza on Wednesdays, and check out our new coffee shop,” Beyhan said. “People’s eyes light up when we mention wood-fired pizza and breakfast served out of an airstream.”
The coffee is a special “trailer mix” provided by Durango Coffee, a flavorful, strong blend that will jolt you awake.
The Silver Bean was purchased by Steve Marty’s dad, Bill Marty, after seeing it for sale on a recent trip through the Southwest.
“He always wanted to buy a coffee shop,” Steve Marty said. “So when this came up, he could not resist. The Little Bean came with it, so expanding the business made sense.”
The unique air-stream trailer coffee shop is a mainstay in Cortez, and has been featured in national travel magazines.
“Airstream owners love it, and are always stopping to take pictures,” Marty said. “It’s very retro, and this classic 1963 model is very solidly built.”
The Silver Bean in Dolores will be open during the campground season from May through October.
