Lately, being a small business owner feels complicated.

There’s a strange emotional dissonance in holding what’s happening in the world while also tending to the very practical needs of a small business. One moment I’m reading the news and feeling concern, grief, or uncertainty—and the next I’m thinking about birthday cards, coffee prices, mailbox services, labor costs, store hours, and revenue goals. The contrast can feel uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels like I’m living in two different worlds at once.​

A lot of my thinking lately has centered on our team. We’re extending our coffee shop hours not just to serve customers, but to support the people who work here. We don’t want to lay anyone off. We’re actively looking for ways to keep our crew employed, engaged, and growing—even when that means reworking schedules, trying new ideas, or stretching ourselves a bit.

That comes with pressure. Small businesses have revenue goals, too. And when you’re not sure you’ll hit them, the questions get heavier. What happens if we don’t? How do we stay sustainable while still taking care of people? How do we make thoughtful decisions when the margin for error feels thin?

With Ballard now closed, we’re reimagining Greenwood. Bringing the bakery into the space. Finding ways to fit more into a smaller footprint without losing what matters most—quality, warmth, service, and the feeling that this is a place where people are seen and cared for. Sometimes that means wedging ourselves into tight corners and figuring it out as we go.

I don’t have this perfectly balanced. I’m learning in real time. What I do know is that the work here—the showing up, the experimenting, the care—feels worth doing. The people here matter to me deeply, and that guides more decisions than any spreadsheet ever could.

No big conclusions. Just a lot of care, a lot of thinking, and a steady effort to keep moving forward—together.

P.S. As part of that effort, we’ve extended our cafe hours OPEN 7am–4pm Monday–Friday, Saturdays 10am-4pm and now open Sundays from 10am–4pm.
GENERAL SHOP HOURS are 8AM-6PM M-F, SAT 10-5.

As we step into a new year, I find myself doing something that feels both necessary and meaningful: placing 2025 gently in the rearview mirror.
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As Ballard Sip and Ship comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what that space held. More than a storefront, it became a place of connection and community. We’re deeply grateful for all the moments shared there.

And now, with clarity and optimism, we move forward—carrying what mattered most with us.

What brings me real joy is knowing that our service doesn’t end—it continues, fully and intentionally, at Greenwood Sip and Ship. Same heart. Same standards. Same people.

If you haven’t visited Greenwood Sip and Ship yet, here’s what you can expect. You’ll walk into a space that feels welcoming and grounded, where friendly faces know your name—or are ready to learn it. Our entire team is moving with us, including our in-house baker, which means those one-of-a-kind pastries you’ve come to love are still very much part of the experience. You won’t find them anywhere else in Seattle.

At Sip and Ship, we’ve always believed that packages and pastries go together. There’s something right about taking care of life’s logistics while also enjoying a small, thoughtful moment for yourself.

Bring your online returns. Bring your shipments. Stay for the pastry. Stay for the conversation. Stay because it feels good to be taken care of.

As we enter this new year, I want to share something personal. Every year, I choose a single word to help guide how I show up—as a business owner, a leader, and a human being. This year, that word is alignment.

Through obstacles and change, alignment has become something we practice daily. It shows up in how we adjust roles, support balanced schedules, and remain cohesive as a team—so our customers continue to feel cared for. Even in uncertainty, we’ve stayed grounded in the values that define Sip and Ship.

For our customers, alignment means a consistent experience. It means knowing that when you walk into Greenwood Sip and Ship, you’ll be met with the same kindness, attention, and reliability you’ve always known. It means a space where efficiency and warmth coexist, where service feels human, and where community dwells.

This new year feels full of promise—not because everything is new, but because everything is becoming more clearly aligned.

As we usher in the new year, I’d love to know what rituals or habits you practice to mark this transition. Whether it’s choosing a word, setting intentions, reflecting quietly, or simply showing up with a little more care, these small practices often shape the year more than we realize. We’re moving ahead with intention and hope, and we’re grateful to do it alongside a community that values presence as much as progress.

Thank you for being part of our story, and for allowing us to be a part of yours - growing together and for supporting us at Greenwood Sip and Ship. We can’t wait to welcome you.