Why We Love Seneca
Seneca isn’t just where we live - it's where we belong.
We’re so grateful for the friends we've made, the familiar faces we see every day, and the chance to contribute to a town that already feels like family.
Fun Facts about
Shawn & Earl
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Coffee shop order:
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Shawn - Black coffee with a splash of coconut milk
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Earl - Mocha (and yes, with the whipped cream)
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Cocktail order:
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Shawn - Vodka Soda
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Earl - Top Shelf Margarita
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Hobbies:
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Shawn - Entertaining
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Earl - Competitive skeet shooting (Alaska State Champion & World Championship Competitor)
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Local Favorite thing to do:
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Listening to live music by all the talented musicians
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Biggest dream:
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Creating a space where everyone feels like they belong.
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A Place Buildt With Heart
Less than a year later, we found ourselves walking through downtown Seneca, imagining what could be. With Shawn’s passion for hospitality and Earl’s experience building beautiful spaces, we teamed up to make it happen.
Today, our café and store aren’t just a business—they're a dream come true. Every cup of coffee poured, every item on the shelves, and every conversation at a table is part of the bigger picture: building a place where everyone feels welcome, seen, and connected.
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" We make food that makes people happy"
Owner!
Our Story
Hi there - we’re Shawn and Earl!
A few years ago, we realized it was time for a change. After years of busy cities, corporate careers, and long, cold winters, we were ready for something different: a smaller town, a stronger community, and a slower, more meaningful way of living.
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Shawn grew up in a small town in Illinois before moving to the suburbs of Chicago, while Earl spent his early years in the wine country of Northern California before heading north to Alaska, where he spent over 20 years in the suburbs of Anchorage. Life kept us moving, but deep down, we both missed that small-town feeling where everyone knows your name.
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For Shawn, the dream was always clear: to open a cozy, welcoming café and retail shop—a place where neighbors could meet, laugh, and feel right at home. Earl, with his background in construction (especially tile, stone, and terrazzo work!), was ready to build something lasting and meaningful. So, when we first visited Seneca, we just knew. It had everything we were looking for: charm, character, and the kind of community spirit you can't fake.
