Sky’s Coffee owner following family tradition

MATTAWA — For Sky’s Coffee owner Alisha Avalos, small business runs in the family.

“I’m kind of following in my mom’s footsteps,” she said.

Her mom Anita Brown is a former owner of the Tiddaly Diddalys restaurant in Mattawa; Avalos worked with her mom at the restaurant in addition to her day job. The coffee stand is a chance to try something different.

“Something fun, and new,” Avalos said.

Previously Avalos worked for the Wahluke School District, but a death in the family meant a lot of time commuting to Montana to care for other family members. The commuting and the job took a lot of her time, she said, and her children told her she needed a job with more flexibility.

While she has experience with a small business, it’s still an adventure.

“You still learn, every day. It’s an ongoing learning process. But it’s fun,” she said.

Sky’s Coffee opened in December 2021 in Suite E at the Port of Mattawa building at 20140 Road 24 SW. It’s named in honor of members of her family, she said.

The menu includes all the coffee classics - lattes, mochas, Americanos (which are made with water rather than milk). Avalos serves cappuccino and espresso, and coffees made with chai and spices. Her signature drinks include coffees flavored with chocolate and caramel.

And, like most coffee shops, Sky’s Coffee doesn’t serve coffee only. The menu also includes teas, Italian sodas, chai tea, fruit smoothies, energy drinks and hot chocolate. She also makes custom orders, like mango blended with an energy drink and chamoy - a sauce made with dried chile, lime juice and fruit.

Avalos said working with her mom gave her experience both in making coffee and owning her own business.

“My mom used to sell coffee at (Tiddaly Diddalys), years ago,” she said.

And there’s demand out there for coffee.

“It’s the number one drink, I think, to get through the day,” she said. “Energy. Everybody needs their energy to get through the day.”

Every day there’s a featured quote at Sky Coffee, and Avalos said Thursday’s quote sums it up.

“A coffee a day keeps the grumpy away.” she said.

Making good coffee takes consistency, she said, and time and attention.

“Taking your time and not being in a rush. You want to make sure it comes out the same every time,” she said.

Every order should be taken personally.

“Like you were making your own coffee,” she said.

She had to move Sky’s Coffee from the location originally chosen, and its location does not have a drive-up window, but curbside service is available. Avalos said she wants to still provide convenience. People can order online, contact the shop via phone or text at 509-771-7690, or order via the shop’s social media.

Sky’s Coffee does have limited seating for people who want to drink their coffee, tea or smoothie, on site.

“We’re making it work,” she said.