COUPEVILLE, Wash. — At Beaver Tales Coffee in Coupeville, there's more brewing than what goes into the cups.
"We like to say coffee is a conduit with people are the glue, because we're all about building relationships and community and giving back,” said co-owner Michelle Cladusbid. She and her husband Tony Cladusbid are the owner operators of this coffee shop and café located on the historic Coupeville Wharf which was built in 1905.
Tony is a member of the Swinomish Tribe, Michelle is an adopted member of the Tlingit Tribe in Alaska. As a poster inside makes clear in both English and Lushootseed, their coffee house sits over land and water held by Indigenous people for generations.
“It is Lower Skagit Territory, and the Lower Skagit is part of the Swinomish Tribal Community,” Tony said.
Inside, that legacy is honored with many details. You can find 'Tlingit Kick' or 'Elders Roast' coffee, roasted onsite by Tony.
Browse and purchase art made by Native American artists, and discover local history from the walls to the tabletops. Historical photos of white settlers and local tribe members share space on the walls. Even the napkin holders contain photos on and biographies of important local people, like Chief William Shelton, an author, activist and the last hereditary chief of the Snohomish.
The "Tales" in their name is spelled that way for a reason.
“There's not a time you can come in here that we're not telling stories or sharing history,” Michelle said.
To accompany the stories here, try a "Bigfoot Mocha" with cinnamon and cayenne, or one of Whidbey's best breakfast sandwiches. This is also the only coffee shop we've ever seen that has a gray whale skeleton in the entrance. There's a good chance of seeing a whale on the water here as well, since the cafe is located on Washington's "Whale Trail" and has outdoor seating with a splendid view of the Salish Sea.
"There's a bell out there, by the way. If people see whales, they will ring a bell,” Michelle said.
This ambitious place has even bigger goals - to build a community center focused on Indigenous culture and education.
“I want you to come get your coffee here. I want you to eat and be full and be happy when you leave. But it's just a tool to be able to achieve our long-term goal, which is our cultural center here on the wharf,” explained Tony.
This couple met pulling together in a Tribal canoe - and they clearly enjoy pulling together to make Beaver Tales something bigger than just a coffee shop.
"We're good as a team. We’ve got a job; we’ve got a mission. We all here for a reason, and we're here to fulfill our gift, and our job,” Tony said.
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