A small-town Missouri coffee cart is making a big splash. Noctua Coffee, a small-batch roastery and mobile coffee cart based in Imperial, has gone viral thanks to its wildly popular “latte buckets,” oversized drinks served in 34-ounce plastic buckets with handles.
The idea, inspired by a social media trend of giant sodas and lemonades, started as a fun twist, but quickly turned into a local phenomenon. “We just wanted to offer something playful that might get people from outside the area, especially St. Louis, to come check out our farmers market,” said co-owner Chris Stier, who runs Noctua with his wife, Brittany.
The couple serves their own roasted beans and specialty drinks most Saturdays at the De Soto Farmers Market. Since introducing the latte buckets about a month ago, they’ve seen a surge in foot traffic and even caught national media attention. The business was recently featured in The New York Times, with more coverage in the pipeline from a national magazine.
“There’s just something about walking around with a giant drink that has a handle; it makes people smile,” Stier said. “Whether it’s a mom who needs a caffeine boost, a group of friends sharing one latte, or someone taking on the solo challenge, the buckets have really resonated with people.”
Noctua Coffee’s journey began in 2024 after Stier underwent brain surgery, a life event that pushed the couple to stop waiting and start living out their longtime dream. They began roasting beans at home and sharing them with friends and family, eventually launching the coffee cart earlier this year.
Their mission goes beyond caffeine. “Our goal has always been more than just great coffee,” Stier said. “We want every person who stops by to feel like they belong, whether they buy a drink or just come by to enjoy the smell of coffee.”
The name Noctua refers to the small owl that accompanied Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, a nod to Brittany’s passion for education and learning. “That symbolism really spoke to us,” said Stier. “It also sounds like ‘nocturnal,’ which ties into our dream of one day opening a late-night café where you can get great coffee, including decaf. We want to include anyone that wants to enjoy a cup without losing sleep or needs a quiet spot to study and stay awake.”
So next time that morning cup of coffee isn’t quite cutting it, take a road trip to Noctua Coffee for a latte of epic proportions.
