Aroma Coffee Co. is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a community block party on Saturday, September 13, while unveiling major business expansions that will make the beloved Fall City coffee shop an even bigger part of the Snoqualmie Valley.
The celebration will feature food trucks, live music, local vendors, and the return of the popular Summer Market hosted by the Fall City Community Association (FCCA). But co-founder Emily Ridout says it represents something deeper.
“This celebration is all about saying thank you to the community that’s supported us since day one,” said Ridout. “We wouldn’t be here without our neighbors, friends, and loyal customers, so we wanted to create something truly special.”
New Private Label Collection and Event Venue
Aroma is launching a new private label coffee collection developed with Bellingham’s Camber Coffee, expanding beyond their successful inaugural blend, The Prescott. The collection builds on Fall City’s history, with one blend honoring the Nelson family and Pete’s Treefort, the treehouse on Aroma’s property.
“The coffee itself is the richest in our new collection,” Ridout said. “It offers this grounding, comforting experience, but with a sense of fun and adventure, just like the treefort itself.”
The completion of Pete’s Treefort in December also enabled Aroma to officially launch as a private event venue, accommodating everything from business meetings to weddings.
“From the very beginning, Aroma Coffee Co. envisioned sharing its special house and property with the community in every way possible,” Ridout said.
Growing Through Challenges
Aroma opened in fall 2020 during the pandemic with just five people, forcing a complete reinvention of their launch plans. Rather than hindering growth, the timing helped build stronger community connections.
“In many ways, COVID actually helped foster a faster, more intimate sense of belonging at Aroma, during a time when people were craving genuine connection,” Ridout said.
The business grew to as many as 24 full- and part-time employees before recent adjustments due to minimum wage increases. Food service, originally unplanned, now represents 35% of revenue through partnerships with local vendors.
Community Focus
Despite increased tourist traffic, Aroma remains committed to serving locals. When asked about expansion, Ridout emphasized their core mission.
“What’s truly core to our mission is providing a place for meaningful connection where it’s most needed,” she said. “Fall City has always been a special town filled with wonderful people, but it lacked a space where folks could feel at home and find genuine connection.”
The private label collection will drive a new online store, while Ridout promises major developments for 2026.
“We also have some exciting projects brewing for 2026 that will profoundly elevate the overall customer experience at Aroma,” she said.
Block Party Details
Saturday’s celebration features the Summer Market with 20+ vendors, food trucks, a wine and beer garden, free coffee tastings, live music by Trailer Park Casanova, kids’ activities, and a giant raffle with prizes from Nelson Treehouse, Camber Coffee, and Aroma Coffee Co.
The event runs 4-7 pm at Aroma Coffee Co. in Fall City. More information is available at www.aromacoffeeco.com.
[All images by Rodrigo DeMedeiros]
