A local business is providing a vital commodity that keeps the crew of the Lincoln movie filming in Richmond hard at work: hot coffee.
The Black Hand Coffee Company landed a contract to provide coffee, espresso and tea for the crew of the Steven Spielberg-directed production during the two-month shoot.
“From a revenue standpoint, it is a nice boost during our busiest of time of year,” said Clay Gilbert, owner of the Museum District coffee shop.
“We don’t cater that much — some office parties here and there — but this is the first time we have ever done anything like this.”
Gilbert has two employees manning a mobile food truck, which he subcontracted for the job. Black Hand is providing beverage service on set about three days a week. Gilbert said that they are brewing through a couple of pounds of coffee each day on set and that espresso drinks are the most popular offering.
“Once it gets a little colder, we will do 100 cups of drip a day easily,” Gilbert said.
Just like hundreds of hopeful extras seeking screen time, Gilbert said he had to go through an audition process. An employee who had a connection to a local real estate agent assisting the production was able to set it up.
“We did our first audition, but it was pouring down rain, and it got totally botched,” Gilbert said. “We had to reschedule for the week before they started shooting.”
They have been primarily set up in Mechanicsville, where sets for the movie are being built.
Aside from a revenue boost, Gilbert said the biggest benefit of the Lincoln gig is its marketing cachet. Gilbert hopes the endorsement will help in his effort to build up more wholesale roasting accounts. The shop provides coffee to several area restaurants and also to Whole Foods in Richmond.
“We are still roasting everything in house. We are not at capacity, and that is what we are working toward,” Gilbert said.
Back on the set, Gilbert said they are only catering to the crew. Other factions, such as the cast, have their own caterers.
But that didn’t stop the big man from sampling one of the Black Hand’s specialties.
“Spielberg had some of our hibiscus ice tea the other day,” Gilbert said. “I think he heard this tea was good and had an assistant come over and get some.”
A local business is providing a vital commodity that keeps the crew of the Lincoln movie filming in Richmond hard at work: hot coffee.
The Black Hand Coffee Company landed a contract to provide coffee, espresso and tea for the crew of the Steven Spielberg-directed production during the two-month shoot.
“From a revenue standpoint, it is a nice boost during our busiest of time of year,” said Clay Gilbert, owner of the Museum District coffee shop.
“We don’t cater that much — some office parties here and there — but this is the first time we have ever done anything like this.”
Gilbert has two employees manning a mobile food truck, which he subcontracted for the job. Black Hand is providing beverage service on set about three days a week. Gilbert said that they are brewing through a couple of pounds of coffee each day on set and that espresso drinks are the most popular offering.
“Once it gets a little colder, we will do 100 cups of drip a day easily,” Gilbert said.
Just like hundreds of hopeful extras seeking screen time, Gilbert said he had to go through an audition process. An employee who had a connection to a local real estate agent assisting the production was able to set it up.
“We did our first audition, but it was pouring down rain, and it got totally botched,” Gilbert said. “We had to reschedule for the week before they started shooting.”
They have been primarily set up in Mechanicsville, where sets for the movie are being built.
Aside from a revenue boost, Gilbert said the biggest benefit of the Lincoln gig is its marketing cachet. Gilbert hopes the endorsement will help in his effort to build up more wholesale roasting accounts. The shop provides coffee to several area restaurants and also to Whole Foods in Richmond.
“We are still roasting everything in house. We are not at capacity, and that is what we are working toward,” Gilbert said.
Back on the set, Gilbert said they are only catering to the crew. Other factions, such as the cast, have their own caterers.
But that didn’t stop the big man from sampling one of the Black Hand’s specialties.
“Spielberg had some of our hibiscus ice tea the other day,” Gilbert said. “I think he heard this tea was good and had an assistant come over and get some.”
Right on! More power to the indie coffee shops in Richmond!
That’s great. I love Black Hand. Glad to see they are doing well in this competitive coffee climate we have here in town.
We drink Black Hand at our office. Many of our employees can not work without it. If you have not had the coffee you are missing out!
Great coffee. Plan on grabbing a couple of tins for x-mas presents.