Dominique Elrod and Justin Elrod, two police officers known not only for their time on duty, but their time as baristas at their pop up shop, County Line Coffee, are making a splash this fall with delightful sips of coffee, chai, and tea- all made in their coffee trailer. These two law enforcers, having formerly met at a honky tonk in Tomball called “Shenanigans” while both studying at SHSU, are known for making a mean cup of coffee.
Having started with an espresso machine and a dream, the couple soon turned their dream into a reality, “Eventually we did a lot more research, and we were like ‘we could do this at home!’ Let’s get a Breville – which is the cheapest home espresso machine. So we started experimenting and making coffee.” Dominique said.
About two to three years into their law enforcement journey, they decided to make a big change: open up the shop of their dreams. For most police officers, it is common to have a second job, so the thought of navigating two terrains at once was something very familiar to the couple.
“We rarely saw each other, and when we did, we saw each other four days a month. It was very difficult, but when we did see each other it was about coffee and enjoying coffee together…I feel like our lives were only being cops. And your first three years of law enforcement, if you don’t have any kind of relief of being a cop, it will eat you alive.” Dominique explained.
In 2023, an offer on Facebook marketplace popped up, and County Line Coffee – a quaint, cozy coffee trailer – was established.
But how did such a name come to be? Dominique and Justin work for two separate [police] jurisdictions- a common phrase between them being, “meet you at the county line.” It felt almost natural to name the trailer after the line where the city ended and the county line was drawn.
Of course, building a coffee business from scratch was not without its struggles.
“We had ordered our espresso machine, and it came in the mail broken so I was able to figure out what was wrong with it. The company sent us a replacement part, but there were no instructions on how to fix it.” Justin said.
For the couple, they learned how to handle situations in a little space, with their jobs as law enforcement coming in clutch.
“As a police officer, we go through so much. On a whim, without notice at all, we could be heading to a very high priority, very stressful call that could involve anything, you know, and being able to control the stress and being used to that amount of stress while working, there’s nothing that it can trump.” Justin said.
Two coffee fanatics, they enjoy the fresh smell of brewing coffee, and that feeling of making the first batch in the trailer. Originally though, this is not what they believed life to have in store for them.
“I hated coffee, I started drinking it because he [Justin] was in it, and was really passionate about the black coffees and the different tastes. I wanted to be a part of his hobby that he was getting into.” Dominique said.
Of course, time turns a different tale, with both husband and wife now avid coffee drinkers.
Through the help of YouTube and many kind community members, they have transformed their love of coffee into something they hope the public will enjoy too.
Some might even say they are living a double life, as switching in and out of uniform brings new benefits into their life. “I think it was cool that we could tell people that we were cops and there wasn’t that intimidation factor of us being in uniform with a gun on our hip, people were asking those questions, they felt like our friends.” Dominique said. Being able to adapt to chaos in the trailer from the chaos of the police force, ” It’s almost like zen.”
While going to numerous events, such as The Iron Man, and the Woodlands Memorial Herman 10 for Texas, helping the community is their top priority.
“We expanded to being able to do what we were really kind of ending up being passionate about, when we first started getting into it [I don’t think we realized] how much of an impact we might have on the community, and someone who may or may not be hesitant about law enforcement, and many not like the police because they had a bad experience, and we’ve been able to create/bridge the gap.” Justin said.
They hope to not only inspire individuals, but bridge the gap between the community and the police force (one coffee cup at a time).
A major event for cops, Coffee With a Cop, allows for the community to interact with and learn more about the powerful work the police force does. With Dominique and Justin, they have the privilege of making the coffee that individuals get to enjoy, “[It’s] Very rare that cops are baristas, so it’s very passionate. Going to these community events, and helping out our other blue brothers and blue sisters in blue.” Justin said.
Having worked a long way from selling coffee at a neighboring garage sale, the couple is glad to bring good smells and tastes to the community, even if it means a lack of sleep.
“There’s a few videos on our Instagram page that you’ll see, we just got off our shift and we’ll be like falling asleep on the floor, take a quick nap, and then we’d like sit up ready to go, and that was brutal.” Dominique said.
But the future still looms upon them. For now, the coffee shop remains, yet plans for a different future are not far from reality. Justin hopes to join SWAT, an elite group of law enforcement sent to handle high risk situations. With that on the forefront, coffee making might be put on hold.
“There is a high level of physical expectation to, you know, be able to run, be able to shoot, be able to fight, be able to do everything, be able to communicate and think through stressful situations when you’re most exhausted. And so now I’m just preparing for a lot of physical fitness, where we have to pick one.” Justin said.
Even if the coffee company doesn’t stay a trailer, the couple is excited to see where life takes them, with hopes of spreading their coffee brewing knowledge, and eventually settling down to have a family. Whatever is in store for them, neither will fail to continue to support and uplift the community.
“I want to share that knowledge that we have gathered to other people, we are ready to share and help and expand because we remember that love that we had when we were first starting, and we want to share that.” Dominique said.
Interested in trying some of their delicious coffee? Don’t fret, you can catch a sip of their tasty work at the Saddle River Gun Range on November 22 or at Photos with Santa on December 20 (location still pending).
Don’t miss out while you still can!
*Cash and card accepted!*
Interested in reaching out about an event?
You can find them on Facebook or email here:
https://www.facebook.com/p/County-Line-Coffee-100091779346173/
