CHENEY, Wash. – A local coffee stand in Cheney is finding ways to balance wage increases for employees with the need to maintain affordable prices for customers.
Kendra Littau, who co-owns Serendipity Coffee with her sister, shared their journey since purchasing the stand in 2022.
“We didn’t even know what we were doing. We were just like let’s go for it,” Littau said.
The coffee stand employs mostly college students and aims to help them afford to go to school.
“I’m happy they’re making enough to afford their life that they’re making enough to save for their futures,” she said.
However, Littau acknowledged that the wage increase has led to higher prices for customers.
“So I think as wages go up, costs go up, my prices have to go up and I don’t ever want to affect the customers negatively, but I also hope they understand that we want to stay open more than anything and we want to provide for our families as well,” Littau stated.
Washington’s minimum wage is now $16.66 as of January 1, 2025, the highest state minimum wage in the country. Littau emphasized the importance of both employees and customers in keeping the business running.
“We wouldn’t be anything without our employees, but we definitely wouldn’t be anything without our customers so we’re happy to be here and happy to keep on going,” she said.
Littau plans to monitor business throughout January before deciding on a price increase, aiming to minimize the impact on customers.
