The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

A new coffee shop, Patty Cakes Cafe and Roasting, is open for business in downtown Cathlamet.

The owner, Patty Vezaldenos, grew up in Stockton, California. After moving to the St. Helen's/Scappoose area in 1980, she lived in Columbia County for over 30 years and had three drive through espresso shops and a roasting and baking company.

She sold the business several years ago.

"I've been wanting coffee back in my life ever since," Vezaldenos said.

But life had her going in other directions. She went into the ministry with her husband at the time, as a traveling evangelist and missionary. She restored an orphanage in Mexico, taking teens down there twice a year for four years and raising $47,000. Five years ago, she moved to Illinois to be near her son and grandkids. She tried substitute teaching, home health care, and other "oddball jobs," but missed the northwest. And the work she used to do.

When her daughter relocated to Puget Island, and her best friend needed her nearby, she came home.

"Why don't you open up that coffee shop?" her daughter asked.

Vezaldenos remembers the first time she ever saw a drive thru espresso shack.

"I want one of those!" Vezaldenos said at the time. "I want to hang out a window and serve coffee."

Now that she's doing it again, she's likened it to having a baby.

"It's so much fun, you're having a baby!" Vezaldenos said. "Then you go through the labor pains and you think you're never going to do that again. Two years later you're having another kid and you're getting ready to give birth and suddenly remember: I said I'd never do this again! You forget about the stress, the headaches, the problems. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's going to be very rewarding."

"I love the coffee business," she added. "I love people. I've always just loved being around people and serving coffee and making people smile. People like to come together and have relationships around coffee."

Patty Cakes is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

They are serving coffee and pastries right now, but when the electrician finishes his work and an employee returns from vacation, she plans to add savory and sweet crumpets and crepes for breakfast. After they get comfortable with that, there will be paninis with coleslaw or kettle chips for lunch.

Eventually, she will open on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5-8 for takeout for all customers and delivery to the brewery crowd.

"I'm optimistic," Vezaldenos said. "I'm excited to be here."