The Beginning of First Light

We’re excited to finally share a little update about what we’ve been working on.

My wife Hannah and I recently had the opportunity to acquire what feels like our dream building here in Redmond — a small 1930’s house that had already been converted into a commercial space. The moment we walked through it, we could see the potential.

When the building came up for sale, we weren’t totally sure the timing in our lives made sense. But when is the timing ever really perfect for something like this? After a lot of conversations (and a little courage), we decided to just go for it.

Since then, we’ve been learning — very much as we go — what it takes to open a small neighborhood café.

The building already had so much of what we were looking for: an old, homey feel, cozy rooms inside, and a great outdoor space for seating. It’s the kind of place that naturally invites people to slow down and stay awhile.

Of course, we’ve had to put in some work to get it ready.

So far we’ve replaced the roof, started rebuilding the bar area, updated some flooring, painted, and begun reshaping the layout to better fit what we’re hoping to create. Like most remodel projects, every step seems to uncover another small project behind it — but it’s been fun watching the space slowly come to life.

One of the things that will make First Light feel especially unique is Hannah’s vision for the space. She’s been thrifting and sourcing most of the furniture from around Central Oregon — tables, chairs, décor, and outdoor pieces — giving everything a funky, eclectic character that feels lived-in and welcoming. It’s also a small way we can stay mindful about sustainability, giving perfectly good furniture from our local neighborhoods a second life instead of buying everything new.

The kitchen is another piece we’re really excited about. Hannah will be baking gluten-free treats along with some savory, quick-grab food options to pair with the coffee.

And speaking of coffee — we just received our espresso machine, which feels like a pretty big milestone. It’s currently sitting in the café waiting patiently while we finish up electrical and plumbing work. But once that’s all in place, we’ll finally be able to start pulling real shots of espresso inside the space. That’s the moment it will really start to feel like a coffee shop.

Our hope for First Light is simple: a warm, cozy neighborhood café where people can gather, work, catch up with friends, or just enjoy a quiet moment with a good cup of coffee.

If everything goes according to plan, we’re aiming to open Spring 2026.

We’ll keep sharing updates as we go — the progress, the surprises, and everything we’re learning along the way.

Thanks for following along with us.

— Tate & Hannah