While every coffee shop brings its own twist to flavors, a new spot in Pasco is reimagining not only what’s in the cup but the cup itself.

At Sip & Co., iced coffee, energy drinks and matcha come freshly canned.

Each cold blended drink is mixed and poured into a Sip & Co.-branded clear plastic 12-ounce or 16-ounce cup reminiscent of a soda can. It’s then sealed by a machine with an aluminum soda can lid, complete with a standard tab to crack it open.

Owner Emilio Avila and his wife, Veronica Gonzalez, said the sealed cans lend not only a signature style to their drinks but convenience for customers on the go. The liquid-tight containers can easily be thrown in a purse or bag with no fear of spillage until opened.

Avila, a Marine Corps Reserves veteran, had seen the fresh canned beverage concept domestically in California, as well as beginning to pop up across the East Coast, but said he saw it most prevalently in Japan and other overseas countries he visited while deployed.

“We saw the need for a spot that offered something quick, something trendy, something different than what we have around town,” Gonzalez said.

Novelty containers

Lines at Sip & Co. during peak times indicate the novelty is a hit with Tri-Citians.

Avila and Gonzalez held a soft opening for Sip & Co. on June 8 and fully opened two days later on June 11. On June 24, they announced on social media that they temporarily ran out of the cans because of “an overwhelming response to our sealed caned drinks.”

It’s the first business the couple has owned. They have a family and both work full time, with Gonzalez working in public education.

“It’s definitely a challenge,” Gonzalez said of being a business owner.

“It’s been about having better time management,” Avila added.

Talking about their decision to pursue a coffee stand, Gonzalez said, “it was a small dream of ours – we’re just two 27-year-olds trying to bring something fresh and new.”

They chose the location off of busy Sandifur Parkway after finding out that the former Wish a Latte shop had freed up. The couple leases the 700 square-foot modern building featuring a coveted wraparound drive-thru and a walk-up window.

“Everything was set up for our machines so it kind of fell into our lap and was a perfect match,” Avila said.

Sip & Co. employs eight people.

In addition to beverages, Sip & Co. also offers a rotating selection of burritos, pastries and quick bites. The couple said the next item they plan to add to the lineup is doughnuts.

“We’re looking to add more food items with time,” Avila said.

In the future, Sip & Co. plans to offer hot beverages, and the couple said they are working on what the container will be.

Gonzalez and Avila said they have been surprised they’ve had to clarify with customers that they aren’t a franchise but a local privately-owned business.

“Our own baristas develop some of the monthly signature drinks that are available for a limited time. We post them on Instagram as our ‘Drink of the Month,’” Avila said.

“We’re a lot more than just a coffee shop. I feel that it represents our family and community and everyone who has contributed to us,” Gonzalez said.

Expansion plans

Reflecting on the past few months, Gonzalez said, “It’s been a great experience so far and the support of our community has meant everything to us. Every returning customer, every share on social media has helped keep us going in tough moments and reminded us why we started.”

Riding on the success of their first location, Avila and Gonzalez hinted that they do have expansion plans in the works.

“There’s a Sip & Co. coming near you soon,” Avila said.

Hours are 5 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

Sip & Co: 8921 Sandifur Parkway, Pasco, 509-222-9090, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.