Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Photo and story by Diana Zimmerman
Erla Crouse first dreamed of making coffee, baking and assembling sandwiches in the very spot her coffee shop, Waterway Espresso, inhabits now. She was working for someone else back then, happily helping to fulfill their goals, but now she has the space to tend to her dreams and create her own space.
"I'm a socialite," Crouse laughed. "I drive a school bus, but socializing with school children isn't the same as adults. My youngest graduated this year and my husband works at the mill and fishes. I'm home alone a lot. I need something to keep me busy."
On Tuesday, she was busy dealing with a freezer and a repair man who for two days tried to convince her it had to be operator error. It wasn't.
"I'm a pretty independent woman," Crouse said. "I grew up here. You learn to trouble shoot before you call the maintenance guy."
"You're married to a fisherman," her friend joked. "Nothing gets fixed that doesn't have a prop."
Her husband, Mike, the fisherman, is her biggest supporter. He's been telling his co-workers at Wauna about the shop and they've been showing up. On Monday he ran errands and employees from several of the places he stopped at during the day popped in the shop for coffee or lunch.
"He's my biggest PR person ever," Crouse said. Her kids are mostly excited about free coffee.
Crouse admits that coffee won't be a problem for her, but her baking might be. She makes her own focaccia bread and is tinkering with a recipe for ciabatta bread. The focaccia is used on a couple of her paninis. She has also been making pastries and scones and rice crispy treats and will continue to experiment with more things as she goes along.
She also prepares a homemade side for her sandwiches and there will be soup and homemade rolls in the cooler months.
"Right now, the lunch has driven my business," Crouse said. "Though I haven't figured out lunch on Main Street. Some days it doesn't start until two, some days it starts at 11."
Once a month she would like to provide entertainment for the community. One local has approached her about having wine tastings and so far, Crouse is game. She would also like to open up after sporting events for Fifth Quarter, to provide a place for young people to gather after games. There might even be an open mic.
"With all the talent our young people have, they may dig open mic," Crouse said.
The shop will also be available for birthday parties and similar events after hours.
The bus will continue to be a priority during the school year, while her shop stays open.
"I'm too invested in my bus driving and the kids not to drive," Crouse said. "It's not a job to me, I love it."
Crouse, nee Mosteller, and her husband Mike grew up here and graduated from Wahkiakum High School. They raised two girls, Marissa and Ellie.
Waterway Espresso is located at 98 Main Street in Cathlamet. It is open from 7-4, Monday through Saturday. WiFi is available.
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