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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

On Sacred Grounds fills niche in Valleyford


Elaine Rising, owner of On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Highway, makes a beverage for a customer.
 (The Spokesman-Review)
Christopher Rodkey Staff writer

There’s a barista wearing an interesting hat in an unlikely place south of Spokane Valley.

Her name is Elaine Rising, and she owns On Sacred Grounds, a unique place that doesn’t fit most espresso drinkers’ notion of what a shop might be.

“Historically, the coffee shop was the nerve center of the town,” Rising said. “I’m trying to do the same thing here on a different level.”

On Sacred Grounds is on the Palouse Highway, right in the heart of Valleyford. Rising has put up a small shop that features a drive-through and an eclectic mix of books, local goods and, of course, a full line of teas and wood-roasted coffees.

It’s all Rising’s show at On Sacred Grounds. The lively proprietor wears classic dresses and adorns her head with hats, almost all given to her by customers in exchange for a free cup of coffee.

She gets a healthy mix of farmers, locals and suburban city slickers passing through. A miniature horse-drawn cart once pulled through, and Rising is building a hitching post for the front. Not for decoration, but for actual use.

Her shop also serves as a venue for local artists, whose work is featured on the walls. The shop hosts community gatherings, like an upcoming visit from local congressional candidates.

Rising started her coffee business by the goodwill of a South Hill hardware store that let her brew a pot of black coffee to serve customers. From there, she moved to Steam Plant Square in downtown Spokane, and now owns her own shop and land in Valleyford.

“I’m proof that somebody can start a business with next to no capitalization,” Rising said. “I started my coffee business with $250. There are a lot of ways people can get into business without getting into debt.”

Owning a small business isn’t without its challenges, Rising said, including a near-constant battle with Spokane County officials who she said lump her in the same business category as multimillion dollar corporations.

She also said her recent move to Valleyford has been troubled by a construction project that has effectively brought the Palouse Highway to a halt, draining much of her customer base.

But Rising seems confident the shop will end up all right. After all, she’s not in it for the money.

“There’s a fine line between profit and greed,” she said. “I give away too much. But I make people happy and that’s more important. If you have the friends, the money will come.”

Motorsports Unlimited closes

Motorsports Unlimited, 14811 E. Sprague Ave., near Yoke’s, has closed its doors.

The outdoor recreation dealer closed Sept. 20, according to a recording on the store’s telephone line. The recording directs customers to different shops to winterize their boats.