CRESTVIEW — Melissa Hanks is the founder of Ruck Up Cup, a mobile, drive-through coffee stand at 4110 Ferdon Blvd. S, Crestview.
Hanks — who started the business last summer — and her employees serve hot and cold drinks of various types. They cater and deliver.
Mochas, lattes, frappes, bubble teas and Italian sodas are some menu options. There are about 12 kid-friendly beverages, as well as fresh-baked goods provided by Fruitable Flowers of Crestview.
An energy-based drink on the list is the Red Bull Sparkler.
"It's Red Bull infused with flavoring like watermelon or cherry with a little bit of cream. It's really good," Hanks said.
Hanks grew up in Washington state, with coffee stands on every corner, she said.
"I just love coffee … so I started working at a couple of those growing up."
At 19, she began working at a Starbucks, and in the next two years, she and her husband, Zane, an airman, were stationed in Italy. The espressos they experienced there inspired them to start a drive-through coffee stand for military members.
On Friday, Ruck Up launched a business delivery system via ubereats.com. The five-drink minimum previously in force has been cancelled for businesses within Uber Eats boundaries, which are based on the center of Crestview to guarantee freshness.
Home delivery begins Jan. 14. and deliveries to Duke Field and the 7th Special Forces cost an additional $3.
Melissa considers mobility a necessity due to her family's military status.
"We can take it with us anywhere we go. That's kind of the number one thing that's hard when you're a military spouse, being able to stay at a job," she said.
Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday in the parking lot of BT Kitchen and Baths, a granite supplier.
Call 850-398-9677, or visit Ruck Up Cup on ubereats.com to place an order.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Love coffee? Try Ruck Up Cup in Crestview