Wayfinder Café worth the North First Street walk

Step into the Wayfinder Café on North First Street and the first thing you will see are freshly baked desserts on top of the deli case. That is, unless co-owner J.J. Grant is behind the counter. Not because he is a big guy – he is – but because his large bright smile will capture your attention.

While the name change from former owner Scott Dean's Wayfinder Deli to Wayfinder Café, is one word, the word café captures the essence of Krista Ericson and Grant's business. Dean emphasized fresh, fast and grab-and-go take out. Take out remains an option, but the café nature is reflected in china plates, metal tableware, eating in and a stay-awhile-and-chat-with-us atmosphere as much as an expanded menu that includes wine.

"It's a cozy breakfast and lunch spot," Ericson says. "We do breakfast and lunch. We have espresso. (We want it to be) something memorable." She called their espresso maker a beautiful machine and praised its aesthetic. That is a change from the drip coffee of Dean's deli.

Grant termed it "a Ferrari. It is what built Starbucks" when they were a single location in Seattle, he noted.

They want customers to come for the coffee and the comfort food they offer and to sit, eat, get comfortable and talk, with each other and with them. "He is so good with the customers," Ericson said. "He is a breath of fresh air when people come through the door."

"We want this to be a place where people want to go," Grant said.

They appreciate La Conner and its residents. "People come in and introduce themselves," Grant said. He praised neighboring merchants for their support, naming half-a-dozen, from Raven's Cup Greg Whiting down the block to WaFd Bank Manager Tami Mason at the other end of Morris Street.

Ericson gave a shout out to Watertank Bakery's Rachael Sobczak, both as a person and for her bread. Grant emphasized they are using as much locally sourced foods as possible.

The Everett residents had been looking for a business and were glad Dean's was available. "We like La Conner; we love the community here. We found the space. It felt like the right fit. It was what we were looking for," explained Ericson.

Not only have they been daffodil and tulip season visitors; Grant's uncle was a South Fourth Street resident 40 years ago, and an operating "Moore Clark was in his back yard."

Both were raised in the Pacific Northwest, with Grant's family going back four generations. He is related to Sterling Jones Barnum, P.T.'s brother. Barnum Point on Camano Island carries the family's name.

Ericson and Grant have decades of experience in the food and hospitality industry. Grant left being a manager at the Everett Golf and Country Club.

"If we are going to do 70 hours a week, let's do it at least together, instead of being separate," reasoned Ericson. "Ask me." She paused and laughed, something both did a lot, and smiled at each other, also. "It is great."

"Nothing says love like a 30-year mortgage on a house," said Grant.

Asked how their first three months running their first business has gone, they looked at each other quizzically, shrugged and flashed smiles. "Ask in January," Ericson responded.

She acknowledged the trials and errors of a startup and that "it definitely took some figuring out." She is optimistic about their progress in learning: "We will get there."

After years working restaurants' front-of-the-house, she is running the kitchen. "I love the things we have made our own," she said, some of it putting their spin on Dean's menu items. They have expanded the pizzas, creating a breakfast pizza. Many of the desserts are made in-house, from the variety of sweet and savory puff pastries to the salt caramel and pretzel crust brownie, chocolate brioche bun and crème brûlée cheesecake.

Ericson praised Grant's wine selections. The alcohol is another addition.

The turn from opening at the start of the all-hands-on-deck bustle of tourist season to what Grant termed the "local season" has them considering changing hours and causes Ericson some anxiety. They like the idea of some time off, finding some balance and looking into moving to La Conner.

When Ericson said, "we will get there," she meant settling in as a business owner and a resident. The two realize that running their own business means, as Grant said, "a lot more on us," with Ericson finish his sentence and adding her own sentiment: "Everything. Plus you get to worry about the money. Before we didn't have to worry about paying the rent."

And, as they did throughout the interview, they looked at each other and smiled.