“As One Door Closes, Another Opens”

Sometimes the beginning of something big looks surprisingly ordinary.

For us, the story of Espressions: Coffee & Community began with friendship. Our friendship started many years ago in Chaz’s kindergarten classroom. We had no idea then that someday we would be standing side by side, keys in hand, opening the doors to a business we would call our own.

The idea itself took root much later—over Mexican food and a conversation about dreams, possibilities, and what could be.

One conversation led to another. Ideas started becoming plans. And then, on a day in June, we signed a lease knowing that on September 1, 2026, the space would officially become ours.

Suddenly, this little dream wasn’t just a dream anymore.

Turning an Idea Into Espressions

The months leading up to September were filled with just about everything you might imagine goes into opening a small business—and probably a few things we never imagined!

We researched. We interviewed. We tested recipes, products, and ideas. We planned and budgeted. We met with vendors. We made lists, checked things off, and immediately made new lists.

We asked questions.

Lots of questions.

We bounced ideas off trusted mentors, friends, family, and community members. We listened. We learned. We changed our minds about some things and became even more certain about others.

Most importantly, we tried to be intentional about every aspect of what we were creating.

We didn’t want to simply fill a space with things. We wanted everything inside Espressions to contribute to the kind of place we hoped to create—a place where people could gather, discover, create, linger, learn, and connect.

That intentionality even led us to something we knew we wanted to become: an independent bookstore.

Books felt like a natural part of Espressions. Coffee and books just belong together, but it went deeper than that. Books introduce us to new ideas, take us places, start conversations, inspire creativity, and connect us through stories.

The more we planned, the more all the pieces began to fit together.

The ABC’s of Espressions

Somewhere along the way, we started thinking about what we offer as the ABC’s of Espressions:

Art. Books. Crafts. Delicious Espresso & Food. Gifts. Hobbies. Inspiration. Journaling...

...and, of course, YOU.

Because community is everything to us.

These aren’t just categories of things you’ll find when you walk through our doors. Together, they represent what we hope Espressions can be—a place where there is always something to discover, something to create, someone to meet, or a reason to stay just a little longer.

Come Create While You’re Here

One of the things we’re especially excited about is giving people opportunities to do something while they’re here.

Our Junk Journal Bar is filled with all those things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them—stickers, papers, glue, scissors, embellishments, journaling goodies, and, of course, journals.

Maybe you’re already an avid junk journaler. Maybe you’ve seen it online and wondered what all the fuss is about. Or maybe you have absolutely no idea what a junk journal is.

That’s okay. Come play.

We also have our Craft “While You’re Here” Bar, with projects you can choose to make right here at Espressions.

The best part? You can order a craft when you order your coffee and food.

Grab a drink. Choose a project. Find a table. Create something.

Come by yourself and enjoy a little creative time, bring a friend, make it a family outing, or gather a group and try something new together.

There’s no pressure to be “crafty.” The point is to have fun making something.

More Than a Coffee Shop

From the beginning, we knew we wanted Espressions to be about more than coffee.

Don’t get us wrong—we really love coffee.

But we also love books. We love creating. We love local artists and makers. We love discovering new hobbies. We love good food. We love conversations that happen when people slow down long enough to sit across the table from one another.

Most of all, we love community.

Our hope is that Espressions becomes a place where you can grab your morning coffee, meet a friend for lunch, browse our curated collection of books, discover something made by a local artist, work on a journal, choose a craft project, find a unique gift, or simply settle into a comfortable spot for a while.

You don’t have to come with a plan.

Sometimes you just need a place to be.

We want Espressions to be that place—a place where people gather, connect, create, discover, and belong.

That’s why the name isn’t simply Espressions Coffee.

It’s Espressions: Coffee & Community.

Opening the Door

Those first days in our new space weren’t polished or perfect. We were very much still setting up, organizing, learning, unpacking, and figuring things out.

But there was something wonderful about that, too.

If the door was open and someone was curious enough to stop in, we welcomed them.

We shared what we had. We talked about what was coming. We showed people around our little dream while it was still becoming.

And then, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 7:00 a.m., we officially opened the doors to Espressions: Coffee & Community.

A new chapter had begun.

Come See Us

Now the doors are open, the coffee is brewing, the books are waiting, and there’s always something new to discover.

You can find us here:

Monday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Come for coffee. Come for lunch. Browse the books. Start a journal. Make a craft. Meet a friend. Discover a local artist. Find a new hobby. Stay awhile.

However you find your way through our doors, we’re glad you’re here.

This Dream Has a Lot of People in It

Although the two of us may be the ones whose names are on the business, Espressions didn’t happen because of two people alone.

So many people encouraged us, answered questions, offered advice, shared ideas, introduced us to someone we needed to know, lent a hand, listened when we needed to talk something through, or simply reminded us to keep going.

To every person who played a part in getting us to opening day: thank you.

And to our community—thank you for giving us the opportunity to build something here.

We can’t wait to see who walks through these doors, the conversations that happen around these tables, the books that find their readers, the projects that get created, the friendships that begin, the new hobbies that are discovered, and all the stories that haven’t even been written yet.

Because when we talk about the ABC’s of Espressions, there’s a reason they eventually lead to YOU.

Without you, there is no community.

And community is at the heart of everything we’re building.

Espressions is just beginning.

And somehow, we already have a feeling this is going to be the best chapter yet.

Here’s to new beginnings, big dreams, good coffee, creativity, and community. ❤️

— Lisa & Maile
Espressions: Coffee & Community, LLC