Lauren McIntyre and Chris Rios transitioned from corporate careers to coffee entrepreneurship, inspired by a shared passion for craft coffee. "After living on the West Coast and experiencing amazing local roasters, we knew we wanted to bring that same quality and passion to Bastrop," said Rios.
McIntyre, who continues to work in tech, supports the business behind the scenes, while Rios leads day-to-day operations as owner-operator.
Craft coffee with a local touch
Horizons Coffee Bar serves a full menu of specialty coffee and espresso drinks made with Crimson Cup's award-winning coffee beans, a taste some regulars recognize from other top-tier cafés.
"Guests tell us they love the drinks and the energy we bring," said Rios. "We focus on quality, speed and convenience — always with a smile."
Since opening, the mobile café has built a loyal following. Customers have praised not only the coffee but also the service, with many sharing how excited they are to support a locally owned alternative to national chains.
Crimson Cup's 7 Steps Program fuels first-time owners
With no prior experience in the coffee industry, McIntyre and Rios leaned on Crimson Cup's 7 Steps to Success program for expert guidance every step of the way, from planning and site selection to training and launch.
Founded in Columbus, Ohio, Crimson Cup has earned national acclaim for helping independent coffee businesses thrive without franchising. Crimson Cup's 7 Steps program, based on founder Greg Ubert's book Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, has helped launch over 300 independent coffee businesses in 37 states.
"The knowledge Crimson Cup provides is unbelievable," said McIntyre. "There's no way we could have done this without their support. Step 1 — choosing the right location — was especially critical. You can do everything else right, but if the location doesn't work, nothing else matters."
Advice for aspiring coffee shop owners
Asked what advice they would offer to others considering the leap into coffee entrepreneurship, Rios was clear: "Do it — but do your homework. Study your local traffic counts, invest in good signage, and make sure you've got the capital to sustain your household while your business grows."
McIntyre added, "This is a long game. If it's your passion and you're ready to work hard, you can absolutely build something special."
Join the celebration
Horizons Coffee Bar will host its grand opening celebration on October 30. The event will feature specialty drinks, community celebration, and a chance to meet the owners.
To learn more, visit horizonscoffeebar.com or follow the shop on Facebook at facebook.com/horizonscoffeebar.
About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is a leader in the specialty coffee industry, recognized for award-winning quality and commitment to sustainability. The company's accolades include multiple Good Food Awards, the 2025 Golden Bean World Series Championship and Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.
Through its Friend2Farmer® initiatives, Crimson Cup supports coffee-growing communities with sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships. Its 7 Steps to Success program empowers entrepreneurs to open independent coffee shops by providing a detailed coffee shop business plan template, hands-on training, award-winning coffee and ongoing consulting.
Crimson Cup coffee is served in over 700 independent coffeehouses, grocers, universities, restaurants and food service locations across 37 states and Bangladesh. The company also operates its own Crimson Cup and CRIMSON coffeehouses in Ohio. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com.
SOURCE Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
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