Meet La Luchini’s: A Denver Coffee Cart’s New Chapter

Avid farmers market-goers in Denver are probably familiar with “Joe on the Go,” the coffee stand at the Cherry Creek Fresh Market that was known for having a line all season long last year. As the farmers market season kicks off once again, Founder Ashlyn Carmosino and her fiancé have rebranded their coffee cart. Now La Luchini’s, the duo will be bringing their delicious coffee to the Cherry Creek Fresh Market once again, and are expanding as a full-service beverage cart company. 

The rebrand symbolized Carmosino’s new last name, once her and fiancé Matt Luchini are officially married this summer. The new name represents the brand’s growth, and how the two have established a career for themselves, together. 

“If I didn’t have Matt, my partner, this dream of mine would have never come to surface. He has inspired my creativity in our shared passion for delicious cocktails and experimenting,” shared Carmosino.

The idea for a coffee cart sparked from Carmosino’s travels when she was younger. She vividly remembers finding her favorite spots for coffee across Europe, specifically Spain. In these moments, she built connections with the baristas and cafe-goers, encouraging a feeling of belonging amongst a new community and culture.

She began working in the restaurant industry at 21 and met Matt, who’s dreams included pursuing culinary school and mixology. The couple’s connection always involved coffee somehow; whether it was through their travels, their dates or their everyday lives. 

“We go for a walk, coffee in hand and we get to feel like regulars in the community. We wave at other walkers, we chat with the baristas, we make new connections that last forever in our memories. All through a small act of purchasing a local coffee,” Carmosino reminisced. 

An average day for La Luchini’s starts at 5 a.m., when the two load the truck with the necessities for the day: 5 gallons of water, two bins full of cups, equipment, coffee beans, matcha, and three large igloos (one igloo is just for milk, holding about 10 gallons, while the other two hold a combined 180 pounds of ice). 

The system has become seamless, with the couple working as a team to ensure their collapsible setup is secure for the day.  

The coffee itself is The Black Cat Espresso, a Chicago-based brand that offers bold flavors, especially when paired with syrups. La Luchini’s also partners with Novo Coffee for their drip coffee, that Carmosino and her fiancé used to create coffee ice cubes during the farmers market season last year. 

La Luchini’s signature drink is the brown sugar cinnamon latte. It was a 4-month process to perfect the syrup to the couple’s liking, and has become the most popular flavor. 

“Matt came up with this flavor based on his love for adding cinnamon into all our breakfast items, especially waffles,” said Carmosino. 

This new chapter marks more than coffee for the couple. La Luchini’s is also a fully-equipped beverage experience for private events, with Matt’s experience in mixology coming to life.

Last Fall, La Luchini’s ventured to Vail as a full-service beverage provider for a wedding.

“We did a full wedding weekend with a welcome party, get ready with fresh coffee and a full cocktail hour with reception. This weekend was one of the best showcases of our abilities,” Carmosino shared.

While it hasn’t always been easy, La Luchini’s has allowed the couple to connect with the Denver community in a meaningful way, just like the European cafe owners demonstrated during Carmosino’s time abroad. 

“Hopefully one day, we can build our own little corner of the world that welcomes travelers and those alike to be a part of our community,” said Carmosino. 

Follow along La Luchini’s journey and find them at the Cherry Creek Fresh Market, running every Saturday, May 2-October 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.