SUQUAMISH — Ed Barnhardt and Carol Rose hope to create some solace in Suquamish, as new owners of the Coffee Cantina.
One of the first things they did was change the name to match their vision.
“Northern Expressions,” they said, fits more with what some of their goals are in owning the funky little waterfront coffee business.
“This is a time out area,” Barnhardt said. “When you want to take a breath of fresh air and be safe, this is a safe place to go.”
He said people can leave their political hats at the door and just enjoy a cup of coffee, read a book or look out at the scenery. They hope to get some wing-backed chairs to sink into and books for people to peruse. Lighting changes and decor in general will eventually be altered to fit the cozy, comfortable feel the owners want to achieve.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” Rose said.
Northern Expressions will begin serving breakfast later this month and offer an expanded menu, including ribs.
Although there are changes ahead, some things will stay the same.
Like the zesty red clam chowder.
Former owner Don Downing left the couple with the recipe for his “world famous” stew. Rose was in the middle of preparing it Thursday morning — her first day on the job.
The Friday Night Jams, art exhibits, Saturday concerts and other Kitsap Community Arts Center events will continue, Barnhardt said. They plan to stay connected with the performers. They also plan to bring in more Native artists, both local and from other areas of the country.
They also want to reach out to the youth of the community and the arts.
Northern Expressions will be open six days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but Barnhardt and Rose are not sure what the one day off will be.
Neither of them has ever owned a restaurant, but they seem more than willing to make the venture an adventure.
“We like coming down here. The location is great,” Rose said of her reasons for purchasing the place. She said she also likes the idea of being in the community’s center.
Rose has lived in the area for a year and a half and Barnhardt has been in Suquamish for about three years. They are former employees of the Suquamish Tribal Center.
“I love it here, it’s so beautiful,” Barnhardt said.
“We wanted to add something to the community.”
