Bunny’s Florals unhitches charming new coffee trailer in Melville

Bunny’s Florals in Melville has a new experience for customers, right in its backyard.

Tucked alongside the longtime flower shop is a vintage-inspired coffee trailer serving handcrafted drinks, sweet treats and plenty of charm.

The idea grew out of owner Judy Johnson’s love of the small cafés she encountered while traveling, particularly a tiny spot in Turks and Caicos that left an impression on her.

“I watched over the past 12 to 13 years the whole thing expand,” Johnson said of the café. “And when you’re in Europe, you sit down and you just have a cup of coffee and a little piece of cake, then off you go.”

But when Johnson began looking into coffee trucks of her own, nothing quite fit what she had in mind.

“I said, ‘I need something vintage,’” she said. “And this is what happened.”

The result is a pink-and-mauve trailer that looks right at home beside Bunny’s Florals.

Johnson found it on Facebook Marketplace and bought it last summer. She and her husband, Roger, removed the original wrap and put their own touches on the exterior, creating the soft, vintage-inspired look she envisioned.

The coffee trailer officially opened in November, operated through the holiday season, then took a break before returning in April.

Now Johnson is preparing for her second fall season, and she has big plans.

As the weather cools, she plans to deck out the area with cornstalks and plenty of pumpkins. She also hopes to offer pumpkin decorating for children and adults, along with broom decorating.

October carries a more personal significance for Johnson.

Her mother, who was known to friends and family as Bunny, died from breast cancer. Johnson hopes to incorporate pink-themed activities throughout the month in her memory.

But coffee is only part of what makes the spot stand out.

The trailer offers a rotating selection of drinks and baked goods, including popular gluten-free treats. Johnson works with a local baker on items such as muffins and cookies, with the selection changing from week to week.

The drink menu is evolving, too, with a new fall lineup arriving for spooky season.

Johnson said the drinks are handcrafted and made fresh using quality flavored syrups.

The trailer is also becoming something of a gathering place.

The property recently hosted a sold-out coffee-and-cake night featuring music and several local vendors, including a permanent jewelry vendor and candle maker. Johnson said she’s interested in hosting more events and possibly bringing live music back on future weekends.

And while the coffee trailer is relatively new, Bunny’s Florals has been part of the community for decades.

The flower shop dates back 51 years and moved to its current location 25 years ago. Today, the property offers much more than traditional floral arrangements, with plants, candles, jewelry, giftware, matches, trinkets and other finds available at a range of price points.

Customers can also build their own bouquets at the shop’s flower bar, while Bunny’s offers floral arrangements and subscriptions.

Johnson said her goal is to create the kind of place she enjoys discovering while traveling: somewhere people can grab something delicious, look around and stay awhile.

That philosophy extends to the coffee trailer.

If customers want to sit outside and enjoy their drinks rather than grab a coffee and run, Johnson is more than happy to have them.

Current hours are generally 8:30 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m., depending on the day and how long customers are enjoying the space. Johnson plans to continue adjusting the schedule based on weather and demand as fall approaches.

And she isn’t ruling out extending the outdoor season into winter.

“We’re going to see how it goes because it’s supposed to be a really mild winter,” she said.

With a few heaters, Johnson hopes customers will keep pulling up a seat — and sticking around.

Tour the grounds

Photos by Julianne Mosher