Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The roaster sits in place behind the counter at Purpose Roasters.
The former off-white and red Arby's building in Colfax is taking shape for a summer opening of the now silver-gray building as Purpose Roasters, a coffee roasting company and café.
Owners Travis and Janelle Harrison of Colfax bought the location last year and began work to transform it last summer. Over the winter, the work accelerated.
A bar and roaster is now in place along with tables and countertops made of black walnut live-edge slabs – a style of woodwork in which the edges are left mostly in their natural state.
"Just a few more touch-ups to finish up," said Janelle.
The original commercial kitchen from Arby's remains in place, as a permit requirement.
Once open, Purpose Roasters will be a place to buy bags of single-origin, specialty-grade coffee as well as a sit-down café, selling fresh-made mini-doughnuts and other small items. The drive-thru will be open.
With most of the remodeling finished, what remains are more inspections in order to get a permit from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) for commercial roasting, as well as certification for its scale for weights and measures, also done by WSDA.
Purpose Roasters already has begun to sell hand-painted chocolates at events, which they make in the commercial kitchen of Catalyst Church on Hillcrest Drive in Colfax.
The name signifies a goal of the company to support different charities with its proceeds. Each month, three partner causes will be featured.
"We're hoping to help people find and fulfill their purpose," said Janelle. "We believe people have an innate desire to contribute and give back to society."
Travis, who has worked as a commercial contractor, has done much of the construction on the new place while Janelle handles design elements and promotion.
An "Open" sign is coming.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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