Hardscrabble Coffee Accelerates Growth, Led by MCS Grad

MIDDLEBURGH — Emily Driscoll is making the area a little more caffeinated with some of the most creative and refreshing beverages, all out of a food trailer. Hardscrabble Coffee offers a number of unique favorites, and is available both at a local hotspot and anywhere the drinks are needed.

Driscoll, an MCS Class of 2004 graduate, said that she had taken some time off to care for her kids, but ultimately “I can’t not work,” she said.

She had worked at Barber’s Farm since high school, and it “has a special place in my life.” She even married into the family. This was an opportunity to create something that could be based out of Barber’s, while also mobile.

Such an option offered “awesomeness in the valley,” she said. Driscoll wanted to add something “that would bring more things that everyone wanted to a single location.”

The business’ name came from Hard Scrabble Road, she said, near where she lives.

The main setup is at the farm, which allows both locals and visitors to get a hot or cold drink while getting the many quality products at the farm.

The trailer is brought on the road during many weekdays, including at local schools.

During the weekends, Driscoll is able to be more discerning. She just attended the Blenheim-Gilboa Antique Auto Show and the Greene County Youth Fair.

She said that running the truck is “fun.” It allows her to “make a change, spur of the moment” and bring it anywhere. On the other hand, it requires her to maintain the truck.

“It’s challenging, it’s a lot of work. I’ve seen a lot of growth,” she added.

It’s great because it’s an opportunity to meet new people and it’s a chance to let visitors know about things regarding the area.

It is challenging finding balance raising a young family, she said.

Driscoll’s very first job at 15 was picking corn on Barber’s Farm. (removed length of time) When she would return from teaching, she would return back to work at the farm. She did six years with Elias Barber cooking and fermenting potatoes and married into the sixth generation of the family, her husband Eric Hamm.

Driscoll is working on a “slightly smaller” trailer that would make it easier to get around. She is considering running two trucks, which would require managing logistics and employees. This could give her “multiple options.” She also has a smaller, collapsible cart she uses inside during the winter.

Generally customers tend to buy more hot or cold drinks based on the season, but cold drinkers are more consistent.

Peanut Butter Cup Cold Brew Latte and Oatmeal Cookie Cold Brew Latte are two of the most popular drinks.

The Wildberry Refresher and Turmeric Latte are both caffeine-free.

“I’m trying to appeal to those non-coffee people as well,”

She grew from cold brew coffee only initially, and added in espresso drinks after several months of business.

Hardscrabble also has an Italian Cream Soda the author enjoyed at the Blenheim-Gilboa Car Show.

Some coffee specials are customer recommendations and seeing what other flavors are popular among other coffee vendors on social media.

The mint chocolate swirl was something that was unexpectedly popular, she said. “Mint is such a controversial flavor,” she said, but it was soon very popular. She pioneered the flavor as part of a fundraiser for Middleburgh Central School last year.

She also said that for the Lemon Bar Cold Brew Latte, she put lemon into cold foam, a whipped heavy cream. The base of the drink is a white chocolate latte, she said.

Driscoll said that the growth has been sustained and will continue.

In order to reserve Driscoll, or to find out where the trailer is set up, finf her on Instagram (hardscrabblecoffee) or Facebook (hardscrabbletrailer) or email hardscrabblecoffee@gmail.com.