Anchor Island pours into coffee shop’s potential with unique investment round
December 19, 2023 | Taylor Wilmore
A crowd-funded investment opportunity through HoneyComb Credit would allow customers to help a Troost Avenue coffee shop enhance its kitchen equipment and expand the Anchor Island Coffee brand’s popular menu. Franchising and a liquor license could also be on the horizon.
Armando Vasquez, Anchor Island Coffee; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“We need support for the vision that we have, the product we serve, and how unique of a business we are,” said Armando Vasquez, who founded and owns the tropical-themed space with his husband, Mike Hastings.
Anchor Island Coffee launched in March 2020 just before the pandemic, ultimately rebounding before encountering another setback in 2022 when a truck damaged the front entrance.
The spot remains a busy gathering place along the Troost corridor, with a menu that ranges from tamales to French toast.
“We were open during COVID, we survived, we made it work, and we’ve only grown,” said Vasquez.
Click here to check out Anchor Island Coffee.
Funds raised from the investment round through HoneyComb Credit are expected to be used for crucial upgrades, including an HVAC system, kitchen remodel, and relocating certain equipment to boost the kitchen’s efficiency, Vasquez said.
“Anyone can invest, from $100 to $1,000, or more. It’s not a GoFundMe; it’s an investment in our brand,” he continued.
Click here to learn more about how the investments work.
The investment round runs through Jan. 18.
Clean concept
Vasquez takes pride in Anchor Island’s efforts to prevent food waste through careful planning, he said.
Mike Hastings and Armando Vasquez, Anchor Island Coffee
“Opening a week before COVID, we were forced to create a very lean menu,” Vasquez said. “This not only allowed us to introduce and continuously grow our food production through COVID and beyond, but it also created a system with very little waste.”
Click here to read more about the origins of Anchor Island.
Serving fresh food is also a priority at Anchor Island, he said. The coffee shop’s staff makes everything on the menu from scratch, and also provides dietary options like gluten-free and dairy-free items.
“To keep the quality, we need more expensive ingredients,” said Vasquez. “What I like about our concept is we try to make the food as clean as possible. No MSG, as little preservatives as possible, and no soy.”
Vasquez revealed plans for an evening menu and the potential addition of a liquor license.
“We are in talks with local chefs and considering partnering with the KC Restaurant Association,” he said.
Gaining a liquor license in 2024 would align with Vasquez’s vision of offering a full bar and evening services, transforming Anchor Island into a multifaceted establishment and drawing in more people.
“Getting my license will definitely bring the crowd that we are not getting currently,” said Vasquez. “We will be in a more functional place in the market.”
“We are trying to do a coffee and breakfast vibe in the morning with maybe some mimosas,” he continued. “In the evening we would like more of a full bar and service with servers and hostesses.”
Anchor Island Coffee; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Plans to expand
Anchor Island Coffee; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
In response to customer demand, Vasquez aims to expand Anchor Island Coffee through franchising, focusing on locations with strong personal connections and community support.
“Our aspiration is getting big, and growing, and to grow into a place where we franchise to a few states slowly, like Hawaiian Bros.,” said Vasquez.
Reflecting on Anchor Island Coffee’s resilience amid the pandemic, Vasquez shared the significance of expanding his and Hastings’ homegrown brand, feeling that it will spotlight their growth despite adversity.
“Being open during COVID, a time when people sometimes didn’t have a lot of faith, and then being able to grow into more locations would be just such a big success story by itself, and people will see that,” he said.
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Dozens of skyrocketing KC firms break into the Inc. 5000
Kansas City held its own on Inc. Magazine’s annual ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing, private companies. The Wednesday unveiling of the Inc. 5000 featured 44 metro firms — including several area tech firms, like k12itc and Rhythm Engineering. K12itc, which in January made Startland’s 2016 top 10 startups to watch, delivers cloud-based IT services to…
Backstitch wants to fix a billion-dollar communication dilemma
With the cost of poor business communication climbing as high as $37 billion a year, Backstitch founders Jordan and Stefanie Warzecha saw an opportunity to clear the air. The married couple — who say communication has never been a problem for them — founded their corporate communications platform in 2012. Backstitch aims to mitigate the…
Google Fiber names local duo as digital inclusion leaders
After a successful first year, Google Fiber — in partnership with the Nonprofit Technology Network — has announced its second round of Digital Inclusion Fellows. As part of the program, fellows will create and lead digital literacy efforts in the 11 metro areas with Google Fiber, including Kansas City. Initiatives include assisting adults with high…
Can downtowners ditch the Dodge? Zipcar expands in Kansas City
Downtown Kansas City residents have another compelling reason to become car-less converts. The on-demand car rental service Zipcar is expanding its area presence to Kansas City’s downtown, providing its growing population another flexible transportation option. The international car-sharing service is beefing up local offerings — which already includes two cars at Kansas City International Airport…