New cafe inspired by Italian Vespa ride brings premium coffee to Ontario

A one-stop shop for brewing equipment and fresh roasted and ethically sourced coffee is Clarington’s newest business success story–and one that is actually a quarter-century in the making.

Silver Scooter Coffee Co., named for a long-ago ride on the back of a scooter in Italy, recently opened in Darlington Clarke Townline (about halfway between Bowmanville and Newcastle), bringing coffee from Colombia, Nicaragua and Brazil and the finest in-home brewing equipment to Clarington and Durham Region.

Looking to appeal to coffee perfectionists, Silver Scooter offers premium coffee beans, top-tier machines like Jura and Rocket, pour-over setups, drip brewers, and more.

The roastery part of the business is brand new and owner Mark Abernethy and his team were prepared for a “bumpy start.”

“Coffee is so subjective, but we were ready for any and all feedback, good or bad. We roasted hundreds of small batches, discovering nuances in our green bean supply, and the response was amazing,” Abernethy told YourCityWithIN.com.

“We knew there was a need out there; it was obvious. If we could win over friends and family and focus solely on quality, we truly believed this would work … and that positive reinforcement from the people closest to our hearts empowered us to keep marching down the path we were on, emboldening us to achieve our goal of upping the coffee game in our community and circle of friends.”

Abernethy shipped a Toper Roaster from Turkey and quickly gained access to a Central and South American supply chain, dealing directly with small coffee farms and partnering with a coffee roaster with 15 years of experience, putting the fundamentals in place for success.

“We started this company with one purpose: to enhance the coffee experience for friends and family – plain and simple.”

The coffee roastery may be new, but Abernethy has been in the coffee product business since the last century. The Townline location has also been home to Markcol Distribution, a leading Canadian single-cup (Keurig and the like) beverage provider since 1999.

At the heart of both businesses is that silver scooter, a memory of that trip to Italy when he was 18 years old, which is now proudly displayed in the shop.

“One warm summer night, I had the opportunity to tour Sorrento, Italy, on the back of an iconic Vespa. Of course, I said yes – and of course, it was amazing. We zipped through cobblestone streets, past restaurants and cafés with aromas so incredible, I wanted to stop at every one,” Abernathy recalled. “I’ve never forgotten that night. I never will.”

Abernethy later bought his own Vespa and frequently takes it for a rip, “soaking in that feeling of freedom, warmth, and speed, with just a touch of danger.”

“At Silver Scooter Coffee Co., we roast coffee with the spirit of that Vespa ride – bold, adventurous, and full of life.”

The store is open for wholesale and retail customers but there is no café to stop and smell (and taste) the coffee just yet.

Silver Scooter also has a satellite location on Simcoe Street North in Oshawa.

* The pic of the gentleman in the Chicago Blackhawks jersey is owner Mark Abernethy