Behind the Cup: The Story of Astro Coffee and Why We Do What We Do
Astro Coffee is a family-owned, solar-powered mobile coffee catering company based in Golden, Colorado, founded by Lisa Huron and Steven Schillaci. If you have ever wondered who is behind the coffee van pulling espresso shots at a Colorado wedding, festival, or company event, this is the story. Like a lot of good things, it starts with two people, a shared love of really good coffee, and a dream cooked up over espresso.
Meet Lisa and Steven
Astro Coffee is the work of two founders who brought very different strengths to the same dream. Steven came up through the coffee industry, with years of hands-on experience behind the espresso machine. Lisa brought expertise in mobile operations, plus a background you might not expect: she spent years as a dog trainer, working with the animals other people had given up on. Together they describe themselves as “neighborhood baristas on wheels, powered by sunshine.” They run Astro as a family business out of Golden, and their daughter Ava is growing up watching the whole thing take shape.
A Dream Over Cups of Espresso
The Astro story started the way many great ones do, with a shared love of coffee and a deep appreciation for community. What began as a dream over cups of espresso grew into something much bigger: a way to connect people, fuel moments, and support local businesses one handcrafted drink at a time. Lisa and Steven launched Astro Coffee with a clear mission, to bring high-quality, locally sourced coffee and food to events of every size, from intimate weddings to full festival crowds.
The Solar-Powered Van, and the Journey to Build It
The heart of Astro Coffee is its solar-powered van, and getting there was anything but easy. Lisa and Steven made the deliberate choice to run the van entirely on solar power, a decision that set them apart and reflected a real passion for the environment. Designing and building a solar-powered mobile coffee van came with genuine hurdles, from securing financing to engineering a system that could keep up with back-to-back events. There were moments they nearly gave up, including a battery system that failed mid-event in the early days. They pushed through, and today sustainability runs through everything they do.
That commitment shows up across the whole fleet and every setup:
The Solar Astro Van, built for larger events
Two battery-powered Mars Trailers, quiet and generator-free
The Comet Coffee Cart, sized for intimate indoor spaces
Eco-friendly cups, lids, and straws
Ethically and sustainably sourced beans
No generators, no fumes, and a much cleaner footprint than a typical mobile setup.
Rooted in Golden: The Local Partners Behind Every Cup
Astro Coffee is proudly rooted in Golden, Colorado, and it shows in who they choose to work with. Rather than pulling from big corporate suppliers, Lisa and Steven partner with local Colorado makers. Their beans come from Colorado roaster Servant Coffee their pastries are baked fresh by Black Box Pastries; and other partners, including Daddy's Homemade Syrups and Dis Burrito, contribute ingredients that come from small food artisans around the state. Championing those small businesses is central to the Astro mission, and the couple stay active in the Golden community, from the Golden Chamber of Commerce to their favorite spots along Clear Creek.
More Than Coffee: The Community Mission
For Lisa and Steven, Astro was never only about caffeine. The cosmic branding is a lot of fun, with signature drinks like the Nutty Astronaut, the White Chocolate Eclipse, and Rocket Fuel, but the real mission is connection: building relationships, uplifting the community they call home, and creating something with heart that lasts. They think of the business as a long-term investment in sustainability, relationships, and legacy, the kind that pays off in years rather than weeks, and that their daughter Ava will grow up having watched them build one cup at a time.
Who Does Coffee Catering in Golden, Colorado?
If you are looking for coffee catering in Golden, Colorado, or anywhere across the Front Range, that is exactly what Astro Coffee does. They bring a full espresso bar, energy drinks, breakfast burritos, and fresh pastries to weddings, corporate events, festivals, schools, and community gatherings all over the state, including Denver, Boulder, Vail, Westminster, and Aurora. Every setup is mobile, sustainable, and built around local flavor. Take a look at the full menu or read more of their story to get a feel for the Astro experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Astro Coffee?
Astro Coffee was founded by Lisa Huron and Steven Schillaci, a family-owned team based in Golden, Colorado. Steven brings coffee industry experience and Lisa brings a background in mobile operations.
Where is Astro Coffee based?
Astro Coffee is rooted in Golden, Colorado, and caters events across Denver, the Front Range, and the mountains, including Boulder, Vail, Westminster, and Aurora.
What makes Astro Coffee unique?
Astro Coffee is family-owned, fully solar and battery-powered with no generators, locally sourced, and known for its fun, space-themed menu with multiple units for servicing events. The focus is craft coffee, sustainability, and community.
Does Astro Coffee cater events?
Yes. Astro Coffee specializes in mobile coffee and breakfast catering for weddings, corporate events, festivals, schools, and community gatherings throughout Colorado.
Come Experience Astro Coffee
Whether you are planning a wedding, a company celebration, or a community event, Lisa, Steven, and the Astro team would love to bring the experience to you. Book Astro Coffee and taste the story for yourself, one handcrafted, sunshine-powered cup at a time.