Horizons Coffee Bar Brings Craft Coffee to Bastrop, Texas
November 12, 2025 (Published: October 15, 2025)
In the heart of Bastrop, Texas, something special is brewing — and it’s not just the espresso.
Since opening in August, Horizons Coffee Bar has quickly become a favorite stop for locals looking for handcrafted drinks and genuine community vibes. And on October 30, the shop is celebrating its grand opening with drink specials, giveaways, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
“We’re thrilled by the response since our Aug. 1 soft opening,” said co-owner Chris Rios. “Our grand opening is a way to say thank you and to let even more people know we’re here, serving great coffee with a smile”.
From Tech to Coffee: A New Chapter
Owners Chris Rios and Lauren McIntyre didn’t come from the coffee world. In fact, their journey began in tech and logistics. After experiencing layoffs and rethinking their careers, they decided to bring something new to their fast-growing Texas town — inspired by the West Coast craft coffee culture they had come to love.
“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.
Today, Lauren supports the business behind the scenes while continuing her tech career, and Chris runs day-to-day operations from behind the bar. Together, they’ve built something that’s fast, friendly, and focused on quality — just what they were missing in their own neighborhood.
Powered by Passion (and the 7 Steps)
With no prior coffee experience, the couple leaned on our 7 Steps to Success program — a proven roadmap for aspiring shop owners — to help them bring Horizons Coffee Bar to life.
“Crimson Cup’s 7 Steps gave us the tools and confidence we needed,” said Lauren. “They’ve been a true partner throughout this journey”.
That support made a difference early on, especially when choosing a location.
“There’s no way we could have done this without their support,” she added.
“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”.
What to Expect at Horizons
Located at 146 TX-21, this mobile coffee trailer keeps things simple and focused: award-winning coffee, consistent drinks, and fast, friendly service. The menu features a full range of espresso drinks and seasonal specials made with Crimson Cup beans — the same ones you’ll find in top-tier cafés across the country.
“Guests tell us they love the drinks and the energy we bring,” Chris said. “We focus on quality, speed and convenience — always with a smile”.
The setup may be small, but the impact is big. Customers have praised Horizons not just for the coffee, but for the warm, welcoming atmosphere — and the chance to support a local alternative to big chains.
Advice For Future Shop Owners
Thinking about opening a coffee shop of your own? Rios and McIntyre have a few words of advice:
“Do it — but do your homework,” Chris said. “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”.
Lauren added, “This is a long game. If it’s your passion and you’re ready to work hard, you can absolutely build something special”.
If you’re in the Bastrop area, stop by Horizons Coffee Bar for a drink, a smile, and a chance to support local.
Learn more about Horizons at horizonscoffeebar.com or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/horizonscoffeebar.
And if you’ve got a coffee shop dream of your own, our 7 Steps team is here to help — just like we helped Chris and Lauren.
You’ll find everything you need to get your idea off the ground in our Coffee Shop Startup Kit. Or, connect with 7 Steps Sales Leader Scott Fullerton at sfullerton@crimsoncup.com or 1-888-800-9224. He’ll be happy to discuss your vision and answer any questions you have.