Cafe Owner Reflects on 3 Years Running Business

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  Micah Jones, 26, purchased Cafe Blue in Bellingham's Fairhaven neighborhood at age 23 in 2023No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Micah Jones is 26 years old“Micah Jones (he/him) Age: 26 City: Bellingham Lived here for: 9 years Originally from: Puyallup, Pierce County Notable: Barista, trail runner, snowboarder Tell us why you decided to buy Cafe Blue at the ripe age of 23? I started in the coffee industry in 2018, so I kind of had my bearings.”
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  Micah Jones purchased Cafe Blue in 2023No usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Micah Jones is 23 years oldNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Micah Jones purchased Cafe Blue in Bellingham's Fairhaven neighborhood“Micah Jones stands behind the counter at Cafe Blue in July in Fairhaven. Jones bought the cafe at the age of 23.”
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  Micah Jones was a former baristaNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Micah Jones was 'poached' by the previous owner, Lily“I was actually poached by the previous owner, Lily — and that fall she was kind of like, 'We are ready to move on and start a new adventure.' Before they put it on the market, they offered it to me.”
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  Lily helped Micah Jones navigate the purchase process“I started in the coffee industry in 2018, so I kind of had my bearings. I worked at a lot of coffee shops around town, so I've had different experiences. I finally landed at Cafe Blue — I was actually poached by the previous owner, Lily — and that fall she was kind of like, 'We are ready to move on and start a new adventure.' Before they put it on the market, they offered it to me. As a 23-year-old, it felt so out of reach with a barista salary, trying to buy a business. But the previous owners basically walked me through the entire process, and it was honestly so seamless, and there were so many hands that went into it.”
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  Micah Jones described initial challenges with imposter syndrome“Cafe Blue already had such a strong identity, and I wrestled for years because I felt like I had imposter syndrome. Honestly, it took some time — a lot of self-reflection and then slowly, day by day, figuring it out. It was really hard and there was a lot of doubt.”
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  Micah Jones described initial challenges with adjusting to ownership“Buying the coffee shop at 23 and stepping into such a huge thing felt really overwhelming. Cafe Blue already had such a strong identity, and I wrestled for years because I felt like I had imposter syndrome. Honestly, it took some time — a lot of self-reflection and then slowly, day by day, figuring it out. It was really hard and there was a lot of doubt.”
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  Micah Jones noted the business already had a strong identity“Cafe Blue already had such a strong identity, and I wrestled for years because I felt like I had imposter syndrome.”
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  Micah Jones has since overcome doubtsNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Micah Jones is now managing the cafeNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Cafe Blue is located in Fairhaven“Micah Jones stands behind the counter at Cafe Blue in July in Fairhaven. Jones bought the cafe at the age of 23. ( Finn Wendt /Cascadia Daily News)”
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  Fairhaven is a neighborhood known for its historic architectureNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  Fairhaven is a neighborhood known for its local businessesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.