You may have strolled into Dori’s Coffee Shop over the last few months, either out of curiosity or think thinking that is was The Union Coffee Shop, which used to be one of two located in Bellingham. Meet Dori Eppstein, the owner of the freshly opened Dori’s Coffee Shop, located in the Daylight Building next to Buffalo Exchange and Woolies.
Dori considers the dragonfly to be her spirit animal and can be found taking a few seconds out of her workday to bust a move on the shop floor. Hailing from San Diego originally, Dori and her young son, Liam, have established themselves in Bellingham over the last two years.
With a Masters in Clinical Psychology, Dori has dedicated much of her professional life to teaching and being a life coach in the realm of women in business and spirituality. “I have not owned a brick and mortar business,” Dori says, “but owning a business was on the bucket list.”
Dori was lucky enough to snag the location she is in now through a lot of persistence and dedication. “This space came open and I got really excited! I called the property management company and came down that same day and took a look and said ‘I want it.’” With enthusiasm, she explains the series of events that happened over the course of only two days, “So I canceled my plans for that night. I went home and wrote up the business plan and letter of intent and sent it off. I came down and filled out an application the next morning. I said, ‘Okay, you have to get back to me by the end of the day because I can’t be worrying about this all weekend,’ and so at 4:55 p.m. they called and said, ‘You got it,’ and away we go!”
Coffee is not something that Dori has business experience in prior to opening up Dori’s Coffee Shop. “I am learning as I go,” she says. It is clear that much of this learning is simply evolving through her desire to give the community what they want and need. “My focus is really on community and connection and providing a space for people. I want it to feel good, comfortable and happy in here.” She is accomplishing this by hosting music nights she is calling “Java Jams,” participating in the monthly art walks and providing what her customers ask for.
Dori’s weekly Friday music nights include either an open mic or scheduled musicians. She says, “We’ve had a couple of them and we’re just trying to figure out the best way to connect with that community so that it stays really strong.” The Coffee Shop is still so new, it’s just a matter of getting the word out there. There is a new venue to use – not only for music but for artwork as well.
“The idea is that every month we’ll have a new local artist up and we’ll keep their work up throughout the month. It’s just a way to help get their name out there,” Dori says. So if you or someone you know is in need of a space to display artwork, feel free to stop by the shop or contact Dori herself. If your art fits the shop’s vibe, she would love to display it. She also intends on regularly participating in the Bellingham Art Walk as another way of supporting the local art community.
Dori’s coffee is from Bellingham Coffee Roasters and her teas are from Flying Bird Botanicals and Living Earth Herbs. “We offer all the alternative milks that people have been asking for. Basically it’s important for me to go as local and as organic as possible with everything we do, as much as we can,” Dori says. “Our pastries and quiches are from Avellino. It comes back to the whole community thing again and communication – establishing relationships and keeping it all right here.”
The items that aren’t made by Avellino, sandwiches and oatmeal for instance, Dori makes with ingredients from Community Food Co-op. I was told the avocado toast was especially popular. This is toasted bread topped with hummus, avocado and aminos. It’s the perfect breakfast – easy to snag on your way to work, local and delicious.
Dori’s Coffee Shop has only been open since May 13, but Dori plans on planting her roots here for a while and growing with the community’s wants and needs. “Right now we have to just get it all really rock solid – what’s working for Bellingham, what’s not. Can’t take off too fast,” she says.
To find out more information about Dori’s Coffee Shop, visit her Facebook page or just stop in at 1203 N. State St. to say hello!
