ORDER UP // Kickstand Brings Cold-Brew Coffee To NYC's Doorstep

If you’ve ever dreamt of two dashing young gentlemen arriving at your doorstep on bicycle and bequeathing you with some of Brooklyn’s finest single-origin coffee, then your prayers have officially been answered.  Aaron Davis and Neal Olsen are just two nice, Midwestern boys who share a lust for the caffeinated life.  Taking a cue from the milkmen of yore, they spend their Sundays and Mondays bike-mounted, delivering adorable bottles of cold brew concentrate to the city that never sleeps.

Along with Pete Castelein and Ben Schleif, they make Kickstand, a small business dedicated to providing quality coffee to New Yorkers with minimal environmental impact.  The four boys -- all former or current baristas -- first conceived of Kickstand while enjoying a lazy day in McCarren Park.  Wouldn’t it be great if somebody just rolled up with an espresso machine on the back of their bike?  Cue the lightbulb.

According to Neal, a traveling espresso machine is a “logistical nightmare,” so, when they familiarized themselves with the pour-over brewing method, they realized that bike + coffee ='s very simple, very realistic idea.

“It was an epiphany,” says Neal, “that we can serve quality coffee on the go, in the middle of a field if we wanted to.”  By perfecting the cold brewing process, the boys of Kickstand were able to create something magical and buzzworthy and take it to the streets, like the Doobie Brothers (of whom Neal’s dad is a huge fan).

Most remarkable is how they have eschewed tradition at every corner, coupling a totally unconventional business model with a self-described “analog” operation.  Having never purchased a single print or internet ad, Kickstand’s entire marketing strategy relies on Twitter and word of mouth.  While, in a charmingly mom-and-pop fashion, they hand-stamp all of the cards attached to the bottles they deliver.  With a sheepish smile, Aaron says, “There’s a lot of care that goes into this.”

Though they do not have firmly delegated positions within the company, Aaron says that segmented roles are beginning to emerge.  “Ben is the builder,” he says, referring to Ben Schleif who engineered Kickstand’s coffee cart that makes appearances at Artists & Fleas.  

“Pete is the idea man,” Neal adds.  “He’s a mad coffee genius.”

Both Neal and Aaron are quick to point out that Kickstand would in no way be possible without their friends.  “Friends are important,” says Ben, “because if there’s something you can’t do, someone you know should be able to.”

It’s with tremendous pride that they call Kickstand’s operation “super collaborative.”

“There’s nobody on our team that’s a salesperson,” says Aaron.  And yet, they run a very successful business and have attracted the attention of such respected rags as New York Mag and the Sunday Times (and, of course, us.)

While Aaron and Neal both still technically hold down “day jobs,” there is a lot happening on the Kickstand horizon that they are very excited about.  They are hoping to introduce some local mixologists to their cold brew and have it incorporated into cocktails.  They are also working on a joint promotion with fashion website Refinery 29 that involves the boys making coffee deliveries “dressed as gentlemen.”

When asked if they have a special sort of female following, Neal replies, “Not yet.  Though, maybe after the Refinery 29 thing we will.”

We ask: Will you be wearing bowties? 

They nod.

Oh yea, boys.  Board up your windows.

-- Margaux Weisman