The Sideyard brings coffee, treats and community together across Perth County

Vanessa Simpson serves customers from the Sideyard trailer during the business’ launch party at Shakespeare Brewing Company last weekend. The mobile café offers specialty coffee, baked goods and event packages while highlighting locally sourced products from across Perth County.

After more than 10 years running a side-hustle baking business, Vanessa Simpson has expanded her company by launching a mobile events and workshops business built around a café-style coffee-and-treats trailer.

The Sideyard is a mobile trailer serving specialty coffee, dirty sodas, charcuterie-style boxes, artisan sandwiches and seasonal baked goods. Simpson also offers experiences and has a small mobile cart with similar items for indoor events.

“The idea had always been to open a brick-and-mortar café-style experience selling my treats,” said Simpson. “I also really love coffee, and I love making artisanal-style sandwiches. So I started getting my friends together and offering them different-style arrangements, foods and sandwiches, just to see if I had something unique enough or if they would spend X amount of money on what I was making, and I kept getting really good feedback.”

Highlighting other local businesses and farms across Perth County is also an important part of the business. Simpson plans to use fresh, in-season produce, with strawberries and raspberries soon appearing in baked goods and menu offerings.

“Any ingredients that we use in my baked goods or my sandwiches, I try to get them all locally sourced around Perth County to try and give back to local businesses and help promote them too. My candy, for instance, is from Corner Store Candy in Stratford. So I try to get my own brand out there, but I also really emphasize supporting local businesses too.”

Another aspect of the Sideyard is its events and workshops, where Simpson plans to host crafting sessions such as wreath-making and flower arranging.

“I love to host,” said Simpson. “I host parties, gatherings and get-togethers all the time and I love having big, extravagant parties. So that's kind of where the events and workshop side of things come from, and having a mobile trailer, it just made sense. I have a little flower farm that I've started on my property, so I’ll be able to incorporate that into what I offer.”

Right now, Simpson said the business offers a wide range of services, with plans to narrow the focus over time based on customer demand. People booking the trailer for events can choose the features they want, and Simpson will create customized packages to fit their needs.

“It's kind of like a one-trick pony offering a little bit of everything right now,” said Simpson. “Eventually, I'll try to hone in and really narrow down my packages and experiences. Right now, I just want to see what people like and what’s popular. You can rent it out for showers, weddings, birthdays, graduations, just about anything.”

The Sideyard is hosting the Blooms and Brews Spring Makers Market in collaboration with Shakespeare Brewing Co., on May 23, serving favourite drinks, snacks, grazing boxes, artisan sandwiches and baked goods.

Although mobile, the trailer will also be parked outside Shakespeare Brewing Company at 2178 Line 34 in Shakespeare throughout the summer. Beginning with opening cruise night on the first Thursday in June, the Sideyard will operate all day. After that, the trailer will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended hours during cruise nights.

For more information about customized event packages or where to find the Sideyard this summer, visit them on Instagram at @thesideyardco or email Simpson at thesideyardco@gmail.com.