Downtown Chehalis experienced a noticeable transformation in 2022. Chehalis residents saw the return of many long-missed traditions and events, such as the Flying Saucer Party and the Community Christmas Tree Lighting. Experience Chehalis provided 16 façade, security, and digital marketing grants to downtown business owners. Even more exciting still, downtown Chehalis welcomed six new businesses in 2022! We are thrilled to have them in the community and encourage visitors to stop in and say hi on their next trip downtown. Read on to learn about our new neighbors.
Dandelion Creative Space
The historic Judge Seymour White House in Chehalis has once again been given a fresh purpose. High school art teacher Jenn Kinsman opened Dandelion Creative Space in the 3-story Victorian home in November to provide Lewis County residents with the space and means to express their creativity. “It is our mission to make arts and literacy programs more accessible to people of all ages and to provide the space for people to strengthen ties with the community,” says Kinsman. Each weekend, visitors can take advantage of open studio hours, book private parties, or attend fine art classes. The space is currently open from 10-4 on Saturdays and Sundays, with program expansions planned starting this spring. Visit their website for more information.
Stout Coffee House
In November 2022, Mt. Capra began sharing their digs with Stout Coffeehouse. In addition to the house-roasted specialty coffee drinks, customers can also look forward to fresh, cold-pressed juice and, eventually, kombucha. This bright and airy space was designed to accommodate big plans. “We really like the idea of developing a community space in our coffee shop,” says owner Ann Stout. “Our hope is that the community sees the opportunity for meeting here with their groups.” The Stouts removed the building’s old cubicles and exposed the brick wall and ceiling beams to create a more open environment. Mt. Capra’s office and goat milk supplements are there to stay, and plans are underway to add a tutoring space, plus more amenities and products. Stout Coffeehouse is open 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. Find more information on their website.
Lauren Urich Yoga
Longtime local resident Lauren Urich opened her yoga studio in the historic St. Helens Apartment building in November 2022. Urich earned her certification and began teaching in Portland’s fiercely competitive yoga scene before returning to southwest Washington. She has grown her business steadily since October 2021, leading her to seek increasingly bigger spaces. “Chehalis was waiting for me,” says Urich. “As an adult coming back, I felt really embraced by the community.” Urich teaches a variety of practices ranging from beginner programs to more specialized forms of yoga. She hopes to reinforce the idea that everyone can benefit from yoga. “I just want people to feel good… to come in for an hour and maybe leave feeling like their problems aren’t as big as they were.” Find more information including the studio’s class schedule and hours at https://www.laurenurichyoga.com/class-schedule.
Spruce Skin & Wax Studio
Many Lewis County residents are used to driving to Olympia for Spruce Skin & Wax’s services, but they recently added a location that’s much closer to home. Owner Annie Evans says, “I hit a point where I was ready to look at opening a second location and wanted to find one that had a strong community… [Chehalis] was where a lot of the growth was happening.” The Chehalis location offers an impressive retail selection including clothes, accessories, and an entire wall dedicated to skin care products. Evans and her esthetic team have an impressive menu of services, but specialize in waxing and skin care. “I’m excited for the opportunities and experiences that are coming,” says Evans. Spruce Skin & Wax Studio is open from 9 AM – 7 PM on weekdays, and until 5 PM on Saturday. Find location and store information on their website.
Café Maru & Deli
Chehalis residents noticed a significant change at their dry cleaner on Main Street in November, when the building was renovated to house the new Café Maru! Jenny Lee inherited the building from her parents, who still run the Centralia location of Kellogg’s Cleaners. Café Maru contains a café setting in the front and full kitchen in the back. Their diverse menu includes espresso beverages, bubble tea, Korean BBQ, deli sandwiches, sushi, and more. The Lee family is still getting word out, but customers have taken to the change quite well. “It’s nice to see the old customers coming in to grab food now and talk about how funny my mother is,” says Lee. The Lee family previously owned a restaurant in Tacoma and were happy to trade the rushed, urban downtown life for a quieter scene in Chehalis. The café enjoys continued patronage by former Kellogg’s customers, plus new foot traffic from the local neighborhood and schools. Lee says, “…the people here are very encouraging and come in with such good energy!” Café Maru is open from 8AM – 6PM Monday through Friday, and 9AM – 6PM on Saturday. Find more information on their Facebook page and website.
Mint City Coffee Roasting
There’s always room for more coffee, right? Mint City Coffee Roasting opened its cozy, sit-down shop on November 29th after extensive renovations. The location was initially going to be a brewery, but after those plans fell through, the owners Jason and Shawna Boettner began brewing up a new vision. In 2019, demolitions uncovered the building’s beautiful, original brick walls and inspired new ideas. Around the same time, the Boettners had a chance reunion with friends Kyle and Sarah Askin, who had begun roasting coffee at home, and the idea for the coffeehouse began to unfold. “It’s really cool to see the efforts to restore the downtown area,” says Jason Boettner. The team is looking forward to pursuing wholesale and hosting tasting events and private bookings in 2023. Mint City Coffee Roasting is open 8 AM – 3PM, Tuesday through Saturday. Find more information on their website.
The Healing Sister Massage
Jessica Grandorff began offering massage and holistic care services in downtown Chehalis in February of 2020 with the intention of treating and reinvigorating the community around her. The Healing Sister continued to heal clients through the pandemic even after a brief closure and has recently moved into a new location on Pacific Avenue. Grandorff’s plentiful services include massage therapy & bodywork, Reiki, Gua Sha, trauma-informed Hypnotherapy, wellness classes and more. In 2023, Grandorff looks forward to expanding her services and building a hub for holistic health in her new space. The Healing Sister is closed Wednesday and Sunday and open by appointment the rest of the week. Find more information on their website.
Thanks to all for bringing their business and energy to our beloved downtown, and Happy New Year! We look forward to another year of fresh faces, events, and community memories.
Written by Chelsea Barr