Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times

Ayyaz Shakeel, owner of Newport Cafe in Giles County, has been in business since December 28, 2007. Bagels, doughnuts and coffee are some of the items offered in Shakeel's RV. Before coming to the Newport, Shakeel was a taxi and limo driver in New York.

MAYBROOK -- To some, it's just a recreational vehicle. But to Ayyaz Shakeel, it's a startup business.

On Dec. 28, Shakeel began selling breakfast drinks and food from his RV parked in the Atkins Equipment lot on U.S. 460 in Maybrook, a Giles County community between Newport and Pembroke.

He hopes to attract commuters to Blacksburg.

At the RV, also known as the Newport Cafe, customers can order a cup of coffee or hot chocolate for $1 from their car window. Doughnuts, toast and bagels cost less than $1.50 each. Until Friday, those purchasing a beverage also receive a free doughnut.

Business hours are 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Shakeel arrives as early as 4 a.m. to set up shop.

When he's not serving customers, he huddles near a space heater, listening to news radio and rearranging packets of tea, hot chocolate, sugar and creamers on the wooden counter that he built himself. Sometimes, he'll watch a movie on the television mounted above the driver's seat.

So far, he's averaged four to five customers per day.

Shakeel said he worries that the lot's location, on the left side of the highway for those driving into Blacksburg, makes it harder to attract patrons. Because 460 is divided by a median, drivers must do a U-turn to get to Newport Coffee. Shakeel wants to eventually move to the other side of the highway because "I opened this business for people going to work in Blacksburg."

The 57-year-old Pakistan native got the idea during his daily trip to Newport's Super-Val-U market at U.S. 460 and Virginia 42. He noticed all the commuters who stopped to buy breakfast items there.

"Some people don't have time to make a coffee or doughnut at home," he said.

Shakeel, a former New York City cab and limousine driver, moved to Newport six months ago to join his wife, Giles County native Marlene Frazier. The couple, who met when Shakeel visited Roanoke with a friend, have been married for eight years and lived apart.

Shakeel said he is adjusting well to the Giles County lifestyle.

"I love this area, very nice people," he said.

George Atkins, co-owner of Atkins Equipment, cut Shakeel a deal on the rented space, giving him the first month free.

"I like to see people succeed in business," he said. "I know what it is to get something started."

Jim Lucas of Newport helped Shakeel install the cafe's sign. He said that he hopes the business will do well.

"Enough people drive by," he said. "Hopefully enough will stop and have the coffee."