Scooter’s Coffee

New Nappanee Coffee Shop, Scooter’s Coffee Orders Up Fast Service, Delicious Offerings

Writer /Amy Lant-Wenger
Photographer / Kari Lipscomb

Everyone deserves a spell of indulgence now and then. And everyone should be made to feel special and appreciated, even in times when the world around us seems chaotic and rushed.

Eric Berg and Ashley Oliver, the husband and wife partnership behind one of Nappanee’s newest businesses, have cultivated this philosophy into their customer service practices. So when they were led to coordinate the grand opening of Scooter’s Coffee this past April, they were more than prepared to demonstrate to their new customers that delivering crave worthy beverages, pastries and sandwiches can be done swiftly, with precision and topped off with a smile.

Scooter’s Coffee is a drive-thru facility located in the east shopping district near downtown Nappanee, right along the U.S. 6 corridor. The shop caters to those on the move, whether that entails a stop before work, a quick bite on a commute, or for those who just want that coffeehouse experience, but don’t have the luxury of spare time.

Until fairly recently, the Scooter’s Coffee franchise was not well known in the Indiana sector of the Midwest. But it has enjoyed a following elsewhere in the country over the course of nearly 25 years. Scooter’s Coffee was launched in 1998, a concept created by Don and Linda Eckles of Bellevue, Nebraska. From the outset, the couple was committed to abiding by four core values that are universally imperative to the highest customer service standards  –  integrity, love, humility and courage. Those ideals are what employees and managers strive for with every guest experience.

And those very ideals are what drew the couple into their leadership roles. Both were trained in the Scooter’s Coffee franchise program, yet they were not initially aware of the plans to open a shop in Nappanee. That is, until they were approached about a management opportunity there, and subsequently asked if they would consider overseeing the new business.

“We saw this as a development that would be mutually beneficial in a small town setting,” Ashley says.

“It’s about serving fast, friendly coffee, while respecting the customer,” Eric adds.

Eric and Ashley even managed to take part in a tour of the baking facility, where they learned how to create food items that can be efficiently prepared without sacrificing quality or taste.

“That was really exciting,” Ashley says, and it was a great motivator in adding unique selections to the Scooter’s menu, like breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, muffins, oatmeal and other choices both savory and sweet.

Thus far, Eric and Ashley are overjoyed at the positive reception from their customers and the greater environs at large. “We have been happily surprised with the response from the community. They are very loyal and very supportive,” she says.

With the approach of fall, Scooter’s Coffee will be introducing some new seasonal options, all crafted to bring out the flavors of autumn. Watch for the debut of a pumpkin loaf, and other pumpkin spice infused baked goods. Cake pops are also being unveiled.

When asked what the most popular food choice has been among the Wa-Nee patrons, both had a ready answer, and not a surprising one, given the history of the community. It’s the Maple Waffle Sandwich, which is a sausage, egg, and cheese combination sandwiched between two waffles, baked with a hint of sweetness.

Of course, Scooter’s Coffee has a wide array of beverages as well, including teas, smoothies, malted coffees, iced teas and fruit drinks, and coffee served hot or cold. The Carmelicious is a top seller for drinks, and there are some particularly interesting flavors featured on the daily menu, like Red Bull Infusions, fruit-based Quenchers, iced lattes and much more. Folks can also purchase coffee beans for some of the most well loved coffee favorites, which are roasted at the company’s headquarters back in Omaha, Nebraska.

Scooter’s Coffee can be found on the north side of U.S. 6, just east of downtown Nappanee. The address is 100 Family Fare Drive. The shop is open from 4:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Check out their Facebook page – Scooter’s Coffee of Nappanee, or their website, scooterscoffee.com, to glance at their full menu.