Monsoon Coffee’s Next Chapter: Owners Shift Gears After Selling Trailer

Dave Verlennich, founder of Monsoon Coffee Co., reflects on a journey marked by loss and resilience. In the face of his wife Lori’s stage four cancer diagnosis, he decided to shift gears from a demanding travel job to pursue a dream close to his heart.

“I realized then that I wanted to be around my family,” he shared. With a coffee legacy in his family and a background in the restaurant industry, he felt a compelling pull to open a coffee shop. Tragically, Lori passed away in 2019, shortly after they had conceived the idea.

Despite the grief, Verlennich and his son Gunnar launched Monsoon Coffee, a purple-and-black coffee truck, just four months later. They set up at the intersection of Porter and Smith Enke Roads, right as the pandemic began.

Monsoon Coffee quickly carved a niche by emphasizing artisanal coffee, crafted with precision and care. “Coffee is a craft,” he asserted, understanding the effort that imbued each cup. Customers could appreciate thoughtfully brewed beverages rather than generic options.

Last month, Verlennich announced a bittersweet farewell, stating, “It’s been a pleasure serving you all for the last five years, but it’s time for a new chapter of life.” The decision stemmed from challenges all too common among small businesses in Maricopa.

Despite building a loyal following and receiving high praise online, Monsoon Coffee struggled to meet its goals. Verlennich lamented the community’s preference for corporate over local businesses, stating, “It can be a very harsh community.” Many small shop owners echoed this sentiment, feeling sidelined as bigger retailers thrived.

The family’s aspirations included a brick-and-mortar establishment for community gathering. Unfortunately, rising rental prices and uncooperative developers thwarted those plans. One developer outright rejected their family-owned coffee shop concept, fearing competition with nearby chains.

Yet, the story offers hope. After selling the Monsoon trailer to a woman in Scottsdale, the Verlennich family moved to Chandler, ready to embark on a new venture. They had previously dabbled in another business, which they now plan to take seriously: manufacturing Kydex holsters for firearms.

Although a departure from coffee, Verlennich sees parallels in the pursuit of quality. “Whether you’re making coffee or manufacturing holsters, you strive for the best.” This next chapter reflects their commitment to craftsmanship, ensuring customer satisfaction remains at the forefront.