Lake Stevens Revitalization Brings New Energy Downtown

Relax, take a swim, soak up some sun. There’s nothing like a day on the lake. And when that lake happens to be the crown jewel for an entire city, then a celebration is in order.

buildings, a re-designed Main Street, and a vibrant park are already in place.

Ellen Hiatt

Like many cities and towns across America, the rise of strip malls robbed life from the downtown core. That’s changing for Lake Stevens. The resounding “Yes” from the Mayor, City Council, staff and community to proposed changes to downtown and water access resulted in a multi-million dollar investment, much of it through grants, to revitalize 200 acres of town on the northeast side of the lake. New

Visitors can expect to enjoy the progress at North Cove Park. Next to it, the city built The Mill, a large community hall with roll-up garage doors bringing the outdoors in for a sunny-day event.

Everything is named for “The Mill,” as the site is the location of the Old Rucker Mill, said Kim Daughtry, City Council Member and Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce Board President. The old Rucker Mill, built in 1907, was the “world’s largest sawmill” until it burned to the ground in 1919.

Partially rebuilt, its final demise was a second fire in 1925. The pilings of the old mill can still be seen in the old outflow for the lake.

The 1,000 acre lake is Snohomish County’s largest, open to water skiing, swimming, fishing and boating. It’s also the location of the celebrated Aquafest. Every July, 30,000 people flock into town to celebrate the waterfront during a three-day party on the water that’s been going on for the past 62 years. Held every summer, there’s music, a circus, carnival, outdoor movies, a teen dance, car show, and horse-drawn wagon rides. There’s also a street parade and, of course, a boat parade.

As part of The Mill construction, there is a relocated Veterans Memorial, an expansive lawn, a covered plaza shelter and a splash pad.

Visit for the Lake Stevens Farmers Market and stay to barbecue on the park grills, spread a picnic blanket on the lawn, and enjoy the view. The city consulted with Sherwood Community Services to create a fully inclusive playground with synthetic surfacing, wheelchair accessibility, and sensory features so that all kiddos could enjoy the park. There is also a fishing pier, boardwalk, picnic shelters, and a swimming area. What’s not to love about North Cove Park?

Daughtry said there’s more to come in the city’s revitalization.

“The Main Street promenade will connect downtown with the Centennial Trail,” said Daughtry. “It will be walkable and bike-able. We are looking at expanding the boardwalks through the wetlands for more bird watching and wildlife viewing.”

The city hopes the continued redevelopment will bring new businesses to town, along with fresh faces as the condominium spaces are completed.

But don’t wait for the full build out. There’s plenty to enjoy in Lake Stevens already. Start your day at Biscuits & Bean – they sell biscuits and coffee, of course. The cafe with the straightforward name is pretty famous in town for their biscuits and gravy, but the lumberjack sandwich is just fine. The flaky, enormous buttery biscuits, served with an egg and sausage if you like, steal the show.

For lunch or dinner, try Francisco’s Kitchen & Cantina, where the 16 ounce ribeye and lobster tail plate will knock your socks off. Or try the bacon wrapped scallops and top it off with a mojito. While you’re there, check out the fish swimming under your feet! The lake’s outflow runs right under the restaurant, which boasts a glass floor for viewing.

Downtown you’ll find an eclectic game store, Lake Stevens Games Plus. Pull up a chair and join a tabletop game in progress. It’s family friendly and the staff love to help you find the perfect game, from DnD to disc golf.

Head east and join a game on the Disc Golf Course. The beautiful park full of 150-foot tall trees and a fern-covered forest floor is worth just taking a walk through. The technical course includes custom made disc golf baskets that increases the challenge of the game. Scott Stokely, professional disc golf player from Texas, bills the baskets as the best baskets anywhere in the disc golf sport.

Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Matt Tabor said good things are in store for Lake Stevens.

“The Farmers Market jump started it all,” said Tabor. “But we’re excited to be seeing all the activity that has already come after the first two phases of redevelopment. Lake Stevens is such a great community. There really is more to come.”

Single-origin decaf roastery finds its niche

Eric and Carol Blanchet approach their single-origin decaf coffee roasting operation like fine wine connoisseurs; smelling, cupping, tasting and talking about the “notes” of cocoa and citrus. Carol thought she’d have to swear off coffee forever when she learned she suffered adrenal fatigue. Even decaf coffee affected her badly.

When they discovered the Swiss Water Process (an extraction method that leaves green coffee beans 99.9% caffeine free and 100 percent chemical free, unlike other methods), Carol’s love for coffee was renewed and a business was born.

From their home in Sultan, Talking Crow Coffee employs a little air roaster to churn out medium-roast, single-origin decaf coffee. They don’t blend their beans with coffee from other regions – rather, they choose specialty grade coffees from single estates for improved traceability. By choosing single origin coffees, it allows them to showcase each region’s unique flavors, like the fruitiness of an Ethiopian coffee.

“The farmers are artisans, too,” Carol said.

“They care for their orchards over hundreds of years, generation to generation,” adds Eric.

Eric enjoys bringing out the flavors of the farmer’s works. “I can bring these flavors out that represent that region. It’s a lot of fun for me.”

It’s one of the reasons they roast to medium. The citrus and fruity notes come out on a lighter roast, and the richer notes of licorice and bourbon are brought out in a dark roast. They find coffee is at its best when it meets in the middle.

And Carol enjoys being able to finally enjoy an excellent cup of coffee again.

The roastery was named for Eric’s childhood pet crow. Tony the crow took a shine to the special education children in his school, learning to count to ten and say the ABC’s. “When we get bigger, we want to give back to the autistic community,” Carol said.