WILLIAMSBURG — A new beverage truck rolling through Williamsburg is quickly becoming more than just a place to grab coffee.
Sip & Smile, a locally owned coffee and soda truck, officially launched this month and has already drawn attention across the region, fueled by social media buzz and a mission rooted in mental health and community connection.
The owner, Eleni Koliopoulos, a licensed professional counselor who worked in a trauma-focused field for five years, said the idea grew out of her own need for balance and self-care.
“I love coffee so much, and I love going to coffee shops, but I also know how much of a self-care thing it is for people to take time out of their day to stop and get a special treat,” she said. “I want to be the special treat drink place for others.”
Before launching the truck, she spent eight years bartending while earning her master’s degree, developing a passion for creating drinks. Morning coffee became a daily ritual before long days with clients, something she described as helping her “get my mind clear and be able to sit with my clients and be in that space of mind that I needed to be in.”
What began as a side project quickly gained momentum.
“It was supposed to be a little side gig, and then now it’s gone viral,” she said.
Sip & Smile intentionally ties coffee with mental wellness. With every drink, customers receive sensory stickers, a nod to the owner’s background in therapy and her desire to make even brief interactions meaningful.
“Sometimes all you have time for in the day is to go grab a coffee or go make a coffee at home, and it makes your day,” she said.
Since opening, the response has exceeded expectations.
“The fact that it’s 24-7,” she said, describing the biggest surprise of becoming a business owner. “I left the four-day work week to work 24-7.”
She said support has poured in from across Hampton Roads and beyond.
“I have people coming to the truck, and they’re like, ‘My family in Vegas told me to come here because they saw you,’” she said. “Everyone’s been so sweet, so supportive.”
A Williamsburg native who attended local schools, the owner hopes Sip & Smile becomes a familiar presence in the city’s daily rhythm.
“I’m hoping that this becomes another staple,” she said. “Hopefully this becomes something that brings also strangers together.”
She plans to attend community events, farmers markets, festivals and Second Sundays, with the goal of making the truck part of residents’ regular routines.
The experience has also been personally affirming. Eleni said, “I had this anxiety like, the what-ifs, and I have proved that I can do it.”
Creativity plays a central role in the brand, from the mint green truck design to the menu offerings inspired by social media, friends and family.
Customer relationships have already begun to form, including regulars who return daily.
“I have a lady who’s already come back twice a day, almost every day,” she said. “Now I know her drink.”
Looking ahead, the owner has plans to establish consistent locations and expand.
While opportunities continue to grow, including collaborations with local businesses, she remains focused on staying grounded in her original mission.
Eleni said, “I just hope to satisfy every single one.”
