A Sappy Spokane Small Business Reflection
Recently, we had the opportunity to contribute to an article on the ApartmentGuide.com blog about fun things to do in Spokane. With over a decade of living in Spokane under my belt, I found it difficult to choose just a handful of the wonderful hidden gems we have here in this city—but I was tasked with making the hard decisions so I did what had to be done! You can check out that article here.
Several other local small businesses also contributed some excellent suggestions, and with the spirit of upcoming Small Business Saturday in my heart, it got me thinking about some of the small businesses that have made such a strong impact on Lunarium.
Roast House
Roast House is up first because they’re one of the first memories I have of Spokane (you Disney adults can go ahead and call it a core memory).
Moving to a new city is never easy. You’ve got your typical fears and anxieties about starting from scratch on your social circles, favorite haunts, and daily routines . . . and if you’re starting a new job—or a new grad school program like I did—that’s a whole other can of worms.
Luckily, I found myself in a warehouse where they roasted some damn good coffee and welcomed my enthusiasm for coffee with open arms. Roast House has always been small in the best possible ways, and I feel like their willingness to connect and welcome in with open arms is something that is very characteristically Spokane.
Fast forward about a dozen years later and Roast House became the obvious choice for the coffee we’d serve at Lunarium when we first started as a pop-up. Not only is their coffee fantastic, but choosing to partner with them, to me, is choosing to support and be part of a community of not just local businesses but also of fantastic people.
Tea’s Company
Tea’s Company is a seriously tasty boba tea shop and truck you should check out if you haven’t already! I may be a little biased though, because unlike your typical Karen, I actually do know the owner.
Tea’s Co.’s owner and I first met at a small business development workshop that focused on turning a business dream into a business plan. Back then, the concept for Lunarium looked a bit different: my first dream was to make a book bindery coffee shop that functioned as a small press, writer’s haven, and coffee hot spot. Tea’s Co., however, was a strong vision from the get go: bring premium tasty boba drinks to Spokane!
I think we both achieved something of the American Dream here. Bringing ideas of culture and community that may be foreign for some and turning them into a part of every day life. Spokane’s got a—pardon the pun—popping boba scene now, with several new boba shops that have opened up since Tea’s Co..
So maybe some new late night not-pubs are on the horizon for Spokane!
Twenty-Seventh Heaven Scratch Bakery
If you’ve been with us since the popup, you know Twenty-Seventh Heaven Scratch Bakery. The rest of you may only know about them due to the tasty bread we serve our sandwiches on, and that’s ok!
But Twenty-Seventh Heaven had the most concrete impact on Lunarium out of all the other small businesses in Spokane. The owner graciously allowed us to use her bakery after hours for our crazy late night tea and coffee shop idea, giving us the time and experience to grow our skills, learn new one, and make mistakes.
It wasn’t easy for either of our businesses at times, but Aimee and I learned a heck of a lot about how to run a business during our time as a popup. Without Twenty-Seventh Heaven giving us a chance to try things out small, I don’t think Lunarium ever would’ve been a thing.
Here’s to the Future
Well, that’s enough with looking back! I know the future can be a scary, uncertain thing, but for those of you who think of Lunarium as a second home (or, I suppose a Third Place if you want to get technical), we’re here for you and will continue to push for safety and community and really delicious things.