What We’re Figuring Out Right Now

Lately, being a small business owner feels complicated.

There’s a strange emotional dissonance in holding what’s happening in the world while also tending to the very practical needs of a small business. One moment I’m reading the news and feeling concern, grief, or uncertainty—and the next I’m thinking about birthday cards, coffee prices, mailbox services, labor costs, store hours, and revenue goals. The contrast can feel uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels like I’m living in two different worlds at once. ​

A lot of my thinking lately has centered on our team. We’re extending our coffee shop hours not just to serve customers, but to support the people who work here. We don’t want to lay anyone off. We’re actively looking for ways to keep our crew employed, engaged, and growing—even when that means reworking schedules, trying new ideas, or stretching ourselves a bit.

That comes with pressure. Small businesses have revenue goals, too. And when you’re not sure you’ll hit them, the questions get heavier. What happens if we don’t? How do we stay sustainable while still taking care of people? How do we make thoughtful decisions when the margin for error feels thin?

With Ballard now closed, we’re reimagining Greenwood . Bringing the bakery into the space. Finding ways to fit more into a smaller footprint without losing what matters most—quality, warmth, service, and the feeling that this is a place where people are seen and cared for. Sometimes that means wedging ourselves into tight corners and figuring it out as we go.

I don’t have this perfectly balanced. I’m learning in real time. What I do know is that the work here—the showing up, the experimenting, the care—feels worth doing. The people here matter to me deeply, and that guides more decisions than any spreadsheet ever could.

No big conclusions. Just a lot of care, a lot of thinking, and a steady effort to keep moving forward—together.

P.S. As part of that effort, we’ve extended our cafe hours OPEN 7am–4pm Monday–Friday, Saturdays 10am-4pm and now open Sundays from 10am–4pm .
GENERAL SHOP HOURS are 8AM-6PM M-F, SAT 10-5.