A cup o’ joe awaits shoppers of Senior Thrift in Freeland.
Crabby Coffee opened its second location in front of the large two-story thrift store operated by Island Senior Resources on June 1. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
It’s an idea that had been brewing awhile, said Keasha Campbell, who opened her first drive-through espresso stand about three years ago near WAIF’s thrift store off South Harbor Street in Freeland.
“Senior Resources approached me,” Campbell said. “It was a dream to have a service to provide to their patrons in front of their store.”
It’s not a drive-through but a walk on up and chat, maybe set awhile at one of the tables in the shade.
“It’s a real cool spot,” Campbell said. “It’s not as rushed as the drive-through. You’re able to have genuine conversations with people.”
Kerry Harper expressed surprise when she spotted the stand while recently heading into Senior Thrift.
“It is so convenient,” Harper said. “I was going to get a coffee, now I don’t have to make another stop.”
That’s been a common reaction, barista Maddy Triplett observed.
“It’s been going great,” Triplett said while brewing up Harper’s favorite coffee, a cappuccino. “Store volunteers particularly love it.”
Crabby Coffee serves its own special blend of beans created by a local roaster, Campbell said. Espresso milk shakes may be on the menu soon and soups and chili might be an addition in the cooler months.
“One lady asked, ‘Do you have hot pretzels?’ We can cater to whatever they want,” said Campbell, who’s proud to say she was born and raised on Whidbey Island.
Both stands feature $1 cups of cocoa for the kids all the time and on weekends, or $3 for mocha blends.
Campbell started Crabby Coffee to give her some flexibility while raising her own family.
As for the name? Maybe she got a little cranky when friends kept nixing the ideas she had for her new venture, such as the Hideaway.
“I was so exhausted just trying to come up with a name,” she said, laughing. “Then I thought, ‘What do I love most about Whidbey Island?’ Crabbing, I love crabbing, been doing it my whole life. So that’s what it became, Crabby Coffee.”
n Crabby Coffee at Senior Thrift, 5518 Woodard Ave., Freeland. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
n Crabby Coffee Espresso drive-through stand, 5585 Lotto Ave., Freeland. Hours: 6 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon-Fri., 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends. For more information, www.facebook.com/crabbycoffee
Customer Kerry Harper tells barista Maddy Triplett she was pleasantly surprised to find a new Crabby Coffee opened outside the Island Senior Resources Thrift Store. Photo by Patricia Guthrie/Whidbey News Group
