About us
Ken & Jalee Rice
Owners, SAMAYRA COFFEE CO.
Here we are- The Rice Fam! When we started getting serious about opening a coffee shop, we had no idea what 2020 would bring into our business story. in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, we decided to take a risk, and make a lifetime dream come true.
Here is a little about us.
We were captivated with the idea of starting Samarya Coffee Co. in the summer of 2014 while on a three week tour of Europe. This dream has been brewing (see what I did there?) for six years and we felt like it was time to step into this adventure.
I (Jalee) have worked retail the majority of my career. I spent almost two decades working for Nordstrom and sixteen years working for MAC Cosmetics. I have, deeply embedded in my being, a passion for serving people with the very best service possible with the hopes that my customers will leave feeling seen and heard, as individuals. In the early years of my Nordstrom career, I began working in the restaurant division and got a hands-on look at the early coffee movements of Seattle’s Best Coffee and Starbucks. Being a native Texan, the art of coffee dosing, tamping, and brewing was all new to me. (My first fave drink? An 8 oz. double mocha with whip!)
Ken is native to Washington state, born and raised in the Snoqualmie Valley. His ealy work years were spent in residential real-estate, then later, a career with Nordstrom. In 2009, he lead the charge to start a non-profit organization that included serving the city’s marginalized with food drives, supporting our city’s local food bank, and school supply drives for a title I elementary school. Ken’s love for people and his drive as an ENTREPRENEUR has brought the perfect skill set to get our coffee shop off the ground and moving here in oly.
Ken and i were high school sweethearts and have two adult children. on our days off, we enjoy the outdoor adventures of a PNW: hiking, kayaking and discovering all that this beautiful area has to offer. we have a love for travel, a passion for excellent coffee and we enjoy regional foods. translation? We like to eat really good food and experience great coffee everywhere we go!
So, enough about us! what is our promise to you? To roast and deliver a great micro-batch roast. Second, we will strive to serve you our best coffee paired with the best locally baked pastries. Last (but not least), we have a desire to serve and give back to our community. We’re gonna be great friends.