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Parkland Family Brews Up Adventure After Wanderlust Sips Hits the Road

Parkland residents Lisa and Scott Subko outside of Wanderlust Sips & Coffee. {Sharon Aron Baron}

The Subkos’ love for taking long road trips out west, sipping fresh coffee, and eating desserts led this Parkland family to carve their own unique niche at the Parkland Farmers Market.

And for those always searching for their next hot (or cold) cup of that aromatic, pick-me-up beverage, it’s time to rejoice.

Scott Subko, a well-established Parkland builder and Realtor, and his family converted a shipping container into a coffee/beverage stand at the Farmers’ Market. Not surprisingly, their designer container stands out in a vast sea of tents. The Subkos aptly named their new business venture Wanderlust Sips & Coffee.

The idea came from the family’s love of driving on the open road, especially on the West Coast, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii. During their many travels, they saw something that not only whetted their curiosity but also their taste buds.

“We saw a lot of containers converted into coffee and dessert stands,” Subko said, adding there were also converted RVs selling their wares along the road and in parking lots.

It started them thinking. “My family, we were always dessert connoisseurs,” said Subko, “I’m a coffee connoisseur. I have a minimum of two large cups a day.”

Subko always wanted to open a dessert shop and a coffee shop, which were “family businesses we can run together. I wanted my kids to have their first job experience,” he said.

Converting the shipping container into a coffee/beverage cost just under $100,000, including all the equipment.

Wanderlust Sips & Coffee. {Sharon Aron Baron}

“We did every bit of it ourselves,” Subko said, “including my children. They helped me with the project. I try to involve them in every way.”

He said his entire family is involved in planning and decision-making. “We discuss and plan everything in a round table discussion,” Subko said. “This is not just a family business that the kids work in. My kids drew all the menus.”

Each of the Subko’s four children is involved. They range in age from 6 to 13. “They are the ones who make and serve all the drinks,” he said, adding that Wanderlust Sips & Coffee is a cash-only business.

Their most popular product is Wander Ice Coffee, which is made with coffee, condensed milk, and brown sugar.

As for his favorite type of coffee, Scott Subko said, “I’m a cold guy. I prefer ice drinks like latte and cold brew. I’ll get in a kick every once in a while for the hot stuff, especially during cold weather. With cold drinks, you can taste the flavor more.”

The menu board at Wanderlust Sips & Coffee. {Sharon Aron Baron}

Believe it or not, his wife, Lisa, is not a coffee drinker. “That’s why we offer other options. We have a natural energy drink,” he said.

Subko has no plans at this time to expand his coffee business. “Just one day at a time,” he said.

However, he points out their container is not built like the usual food truck. It’s more of a permanent structure with impact doors and windows, air conditioning, and foam insulation. He hopes someday to be able to take the container out west to near a national park, where there are wide open spaces and plenty of dessert options when the South Florida summer gets too hot.

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Martin Lenkowsky

Martin Lenkowsky moved to Coral Springs from NYC in 1982. He has a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College. He has been both writer and editor for a number of South Florida publications since 1983. He considers features writing his specialty.