CO3 Now Open

A few weeks ago, some 20 plus members of the local PEO chapter came in to have lunch at the Coppei Coffee shop. They enjoyed coffee, sandwiches and drinks from the shop's ever-growing menu, then lingered around their tables in the space behind the Times front office that functions as Waitsburg's community living room.

Anita Baker, PEO member and wife of former Times publisher Tom Baker, was on hand to explain some of the equipment on display in the space: the Linotype machine from the 1920s, used to set lead type, anchors the room in the center, while the Heidelberg press from the early 1950s flanks the newly exposed brick wall by the front office's back door.

Seeing the ladies have such a good time was a special moment for all of us at the coffee shop. After working for many months to set up the space and the business, that day in particular was deeply awarding because the scene so perfectly matched our vision for what the coffee shop could be for our community.

We are extremely grateful for the way you have received us since Aug. 4. Thank you so much for your business!

More than one month into our existence, Coppei Coffee is fulfilling its promise of being the kind of gathering place the Touchet Valley has long desired. And now that we're in business, one frequently asked question - when are you going to be open? - has made way for another:

"So, how's it going at the coffee shop?"

Our facitious answer to that question is:

"There's only one way to find out - come on down and check us out."

But the underlying meaning of the new FAQ is really: How is the coffee shop's business going? For a startup, I would say pretty well!

The weekends are always busy, while the weekdays are steady. Word is spreading about the smooth gourmet taste of our hot and cold espresso drinks, yummy pastries and delicious sandwiches.

Take this reference from the outdoor writer at the Walla Walla Union Bulletin, for instance:

"We paused at the Coppei Coffee Co. in Waitsburg," Don Davis wrote in a recent column. "I had steaming coffee and a saucersized chocolate-chip cookie, mostly with chips so deliciously gooey that I licked chocolate from my fingers for miles."

Ken Graham, publisher of the Blue Mountain News too had some nice things to say about the shop. He came in on a hot day looking for a way to beat the heat. "Fortunately, my choices for something to cool off with were extensive," he wrote in the September edition of his monthly magazine.

He ordered an iced mocha with non-fat milk. "The exposed brick walls and refinished old wood floors in the shop create a historic appearance that feels perfect in the middle of Waitsburg's downtown."

Those positive reviews and the repeated accolades from customers happy with our products and service will be more instrumental in making us successful than any other type of promotion.

The biggest step, of course, is to get people to come in and discover what they've been missing. We certainly welcome your assistance in that effort. Let your friends, relatives and neighbors know that Waitsburg has a cozy new coffee shop well worth stopping at on their way through town or even making a special trip to see from anywhere in the region.

For local residents who haven't had a chance to try us out yet, we should let you know that we offer punch cards to award your frequent purchases and we're open every single day of the week. You can always count on us being there to serve you .

Of course, we still have some work to do to make ourselves more visible. The front of the building isn't painted or trimmed out yet. Neither have we completed its permanent sign and lighting. We hope to have that done this fall.

We have one sandwich board for motorists driving into town on Highway 12 from Dayton and one on the sidewalk itself. But we obviously need more signage and we're looking forward to the city's new sign promoting downtown businesses proposed for the corner of Coppei and Preston Avenue.

Another way to encourage residents of the region to discover us and discover the other businesses in town is to give them new reasons to come to town through special events and promotions.

This is something we will continue to pursue through the newly formed Touchet Valley Tourism Alliance, whose meetings will resume this fall following the busy tourism season.

To make a long answer to the new FAQ short, opening our doors was just the first step. With weekend evening entertainment plans (pending our wine license) and other plans yet to be announced, there's a lot more in store at your downtown "living room."

A Coffee Shop In The Making