Coffee truck opens in memory of worker killed in explosion at St. Catharines waste plant

When Natalia Sepúlveda-Lastra first met Ryan Konkin in July 2021, they talked about opening up a coffee wagon in St. Catharines, Ont. 

Nearly two years later, Sepúlveda-Lastra is making those dreams a reality — and doing so in Konkin's memory.

"I feel like he's been watching over me," Sepúlveda-Lastra told CBC Hamilton.

She's debuting Ryan's Lounge Café-Bar on Saturday at 5 Peacock Bay. 

Konkin died after an explosion at his workplace, a hazardous waste facility called Ssonix Products, on Jan. 12.

It prompted investigations from Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Ministry of Labour, the Ontario Fire Marshal and local police.

Niagara police and the Office of the Fire Marshal said it is still investigating and wouldn't comment further, but the Ministry of Labour said Friday it issued 11 requirements and one order to Ssonix Products between Jan. 12 and June 2.

The most recent requirements came in late March.

Coffee truck was Konkin's childhood dream

Sepúlveda-Lastra said Konkin had been thinking about the idea since he was 14.

She said his dream was to set up a coffee wagon with his father along the highway.

Sepúlveda-Lastra said she told Konkin about her idea to open her own truck and he fully supported it.

She said they bought the utility trailer in November, two months before he died.

The trailer has personal touches from Konkin including a wooden sign he made that reads, "everything's gonna be alright."

"It's been painful but there are moments where I can feel him nearby," Sepúlveda-Lastra said.

Sepúlveda-Lastra added she has spent some $14,000 to get the business up and running.

The menu includes a range of coffees, teas, lattes and more.

Smoothies, frappe blends and baked goods will eventually join the menu, Sepúlveda-Lastra said.

Opening hours on Saturday are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., she said. After that, the shop will be open all other days, except Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.