Women hold up sky at all four corners of Morris and Sixth streets

At the corners of Morris and Sixth streets you will find three booming businesses and a library that are owned or operated by women: Beaver Tales Coffee, Stompin Ground Coffee Co., Tillinghast Postal & Business Center and the La Conner Swinomish Library. All serve the community in unique ways.

Library Director Jean Markert started in September 2022 after serving as chair of La Conner Regional Library board of directors, where she had a key role in the process of building the new library, a project that had been in the works for ten years. Because of her relevant background, Markert was appointed director when the former library director resigned last August. At Skagit Valley College she taught high school completion courses and then became that program’s director.

Markert gravitated to the library director position because it was a “great opportunity to contribute to the community” and she has always loved libraries and books. In fact, she dreamt of being a librarian as a child. She originally decided to become a teacher since it seemed like a safer bet, but found herself in the right place at the right time last summer. As Markert puts it, “When you have a passion, follow your passion and you’ll find your path.” Now Markert is able to focus her time on the two things she’s passionate about: Libraries and helping people.

Across the street Michelle Calvin owns Beaver Tales Coffee with her partner Tony Cladoosby. Calvin noted she has “always been in business and helping people” with her past career in health care administration, and as a University of Alaska business professor. While in Alaska Calvin became an adopted Tlingit.

She recognized there were not many indigenous owned businesses on the eastside of the Swinomish Channel, and opened her doors in 2021 after selling her roasted coffee online for a few years. Her partner is a Swinomish member and helped expand their base to Coast Salish people. “Coffee is the conduit, and people are the glue” says Calvin. Her coffee shop decor is meant to draw attention and get customers to ask questions about indigenous culture. This ultimately leads to fruitful conversations that can help educate people and dispel negative stereotypes. Calvin is also helping people learn more about culture, history and current events through the “Tales of the Magic Skagit” podcast.

In addition to providing a recipe for great dialogue and coffee, Calvin is using her teaching skills to develop business curriculums that support people entering the workforce. The educational materials cover core skills of launching a business, including management, manufacturing, logistics, community outreach, marketing and more. This is the focus of her second shop, opening in Oak Harbor in conjunction with the Skagit Valley College Whidbey Island campus.

Across Sixth Street is another purveyor of great coffee, Stompin Ground Coffee Co., owned by Kim Broadhead. “I wanted to do coffee since [my kids] were little,” she recalls. Despite being discouraged from her dream at the time, she finally made it happen in 2017, once her three sons were grown.

After graduating from high school, Broadhead went straight into the workforce and discovered she wasn’t the office desk type. “If I’m dealing with the public, I am happy.” She went to great lengths to keep her local customer base after needing to relocate across the street, where Beaver Tales sits, even if it meant getting into a building that required lots of tender loving care. Luckily, one of her sons helped with renovations and turned it into the cozy place that it is today.

When you visit the coffee shop you will notice more improvements are underway, which is part of her grand vision to better serve the community. “There are more opportunities brewing” at Stompin Grounds, she says. Looking back on her path to entrepreneurship, Broadhead notes, “get out there and do what you want to do. Manifest it. You’ll have your roadblocks, but stay clear on what you want in life.”

The final corner of this women owned square is Tillinghast Postal & Business Center, run by Christina and Robyn Burdick-Good-Rubenstein. Christina and her partner, Robyn, bought Tillinghast Postal in May 2022 after their neighbor presented the enticing opportunity. “We’ve loved being such a vital business. Not everybody has a printer and we’re the only other shipping option besides the post office in town” said Christina.

Prior to this business, the Burdick-Good-Rubensteins sold their artwork and printed stickers, so the entrepreneurial spirit has always been a part of their story. Christina’s roots run deep in Skagit Valley, as the Goods were one of the region’s pioneer families. That community connection has only strengthened at Tillinghast Postal. “We get to know everyone in La Conner that walks in the door. I love it. You know your neighbors. We’re all on the same team”.

In addition to the printing venture, Christina opened a baking business with her mom and sister in 2021 called “Good Eats, Sweet Treats.” The idea emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic when her sister, who has Down Syndrome, lost her job. Since her sister loves to bake, this was a creative way to have sustainable employment for her. These treats are now sold all around town.

It is amazing what good can come from women who are called to serve the community in unique ways. As Calvin puts it, “we all bring something special to this town.”