Seattle’s Best Coffee founders return home to Coupeville

The founders of Seattle’s Best Coffee will be returning to Coupeville where their business got a start.

Jim and Dave Stewart will attend an event, titled “From Coupeville to your Cup,” beginning at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall on the corner of Alexander and Coveland streets.

The Stewarts once operated the Wet Whisker, which is located in the Front Street building that is the current home to Kapaw’s Iskreme.

Paul Whelan, whose family has owned the building for decades, said the event is a chance to remember a business that helped revitalize a struggling downtown. Whelan noted that the Wet Whisker enjoyed opening day sales of $17.26.

“We want to keep this history alive,” Whelan said. People attending the event will learn how the business started, its eventual but temporary expansion into Oak Harbor, and what the Stewart brothers have been up to since selling their Seattle’s Best Coffee business, which is currently owned by Starbucks. Their first employee and several family members will be on hand for the event.

Local historian Judy Lynn, who has been developing an oral history of Whidbey Island, will interview both Stewart brothers to add to the collection of interviews.

People can also sample coffee-inspired desserts, enjoy some ice cream and listen to coffee and ice cream themed music. Naturally, people can enjoy some coffee, too.

The evening is sponsored by the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, Island County Historical Society and the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce.

 

Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5058.

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