Featuring Our Wholesale Customer: SKOG HAUS

Local Coffee and Food, Served with Heart

This family-owned-and-operated gem developed a buzz as a gleaming mobile café before moving into a nearby brick-and-mortar shop in Mountlake Terrace in late 2024.

Every so often you walk into a place that makes you feel, in the best of ways, like a guest in someone’s home. Every detail and carefully chosen item feels like an extension of the owner’s passion and values. You’re welcomed as a friend. SKOG Haus, owned by Heather and Dave Skogerson, is that kind of place. 

The dream sprang from their love of community and the Pacific Northwest — and the need for a walkable gathering spot in North Seattle with great local coffee, tea, and food. They ordered a striking vintage Airstream replica trailer tricked out as a mobile café and set up in the parking lot of Local 104 in Lake Forest Park in 2021. Along with training classes and lots of practice, their nephew worked with them to create their signature drinks and help hone their craft. The illuminated word COFFEE on the roof beckoned. Word of mouth spread — lines soon followed. 

In late 2024, when the right space, about five minutes away in Mountlake Terrace, became available, Heather and Dave made the leap to a permanent space. The interior is warm and inviting with tables inside and out to linger. The Airstream, which they sold, is outlined on the back wall and the bar is clad in stainless steel, à la the classic trailer. Behind the bar, you’ll nearly always find either Heather or Dave, along with their son Finn and three other crew members who are like family. Heather’s mom helps one day a week, too. 

Four symbols tucked inside the SKOG Haus logo guide every decision: Origin (mountains, sea, forest), Intention (love and peace in action), Community (customers, neighbors, partners), and Care (for planet and people). Their mission: Change the world through coffee.

Everything they sell comes from small Northwest businesses: Macrina pastries; coffee roasted by the Torres family at Bellingham Coffee Roasters; organic chai, matcha, and loose-leaf teas from woman-owned Metolius Tea in Bend; syrups and chocolate sauce from Holy Kakow in Sisters; an espresso machine hand-built in south Seattle by their friend Michael Myers of MAVAM; cups made from sugar-cane fiber. 

“I feel that what our partners have created pairs beautifully with that of the other partners,” says Heather. “Each small choice we all make is doing something to change the world for the better.”

This is a coffee house that makes you feel good about your choice of where to spend your money. 

Nothing is automatic at SKOG Haus. Beans are freshly ground for every shot and the espresso is drawn by hand. Customers are greeted with a smile. “Everything that we do is old school,” says Heather. “Which makes it more intentional, and we love it that way. You hear the grinder, you smell the beans, you hear the milk steaming. It’s that whole idea of slow coffee — not that the wait is long, but that we stay present with the person in front of us.”

Kindness is best shared, and SKOG Haus has it in spades. The shop is a three-minute walk from the Mountlake Terrace light-rail stop, with ample parking if you come by car. Grab coffee and a pastry to go, or better yet, slow down, stay awhile, and enjoy the vibe. You’ll be glad you did. The world outside can wait.

Visit their website for hours and location.

Macrina’s 2024 Core Value Award Winners

At Macrina, our core values aren’t just words on a wall — they’re the heartbeat of everything we do. This year, we’re thrilled to celebrate five extraordinary team members who embody these values in the most inspiring ways.

Integrity in All We Do: Amos Almasan, Maintenance Lead

When you think of integrity, think of Amos. As our Maintenance Lead, he doesn’t just fix what’s broken; he builds trust every single day. Maintenance GM Aaron Rose says it best: “Amos deserves this award more than anyone I can think of this year. Honesty is a big part of being a maintenance technician — you have to be upfront about what you know and what you don’t. Amos proves his integrity by letting me know when he needs help or assuring me he’s got it handled. He’s truly a great partner in the maintenance department!”

Amos, your unwavering honesty and reliability keep the gears (literally) turning here at Macrina. Thank you for setting the bar high and embodying integrity in all you do.

Hard Working: Sang Phan, Wholesale Bread AM

If there’s someone who defines hard work, it’s Sang. This year, he’s been the rock of our Wholesale Bread team, consistently striving to finish every shift on time — even when the odds were stacked against him. Head Baker Phuong Bui shares, “No one deserves this award more than Sang this year. We’ve faced numerous employee call-outs and emergency absences during night shifts. Sang stepped up to cover various roles — including mixing, deck baking, forming, and rack baking — to ensure the shift was completed successfully with his team. He’s also willingly come in on his days off to fill in when we were short-staffed. Sang is extremely flexible, adjusting his days off whenever needed.”

Sang, your dedication is nothing short of inspirational. Your tireless effort keeps us all rising. Thank you for being the backbone of our team.

Remaining Positive: Ginger Bennett, Retail Pastry AM

Ginger Bennett radiates positivity and hard work at Macrina. Retail Operations Manager Crystal Kitchin describes her as “warm, supportive, encouraging, and optimistic.” She tackles every challenge with a smile and is integral to her team’s daily success. Starting during one of our toughest transitions, Ginger recently celebrated her four-year anniversary and was promoted to AM. Pastry Chef Sam Stout adds, “Ginger is always willing to go the extra mile. She brings ‘little sister’ energy that makes everyone feel comfortable. She never lets what’s going on outside affect her attitude at work.”

Ginger, your contagious positivity and unwavering dedication make you an invaluable leader. Thank you for always bringing a smile (and perhaps a Seahawks jersey) to everything you do.

Embracing Diversity: Autumn Iver, Maple Leaf Café GM

Autumn may have joined us less than a year ago, but their impact has been profound. Taking on a big role earlier this year, they embraced learning two different departments at Macrina — a feat that speaks volumes about their adaptability and commitment. Retail Operations Manager Crystal Kitchin shares, “Autumn is establishing policies that promote fairness and equal opportunities for all employees. They’re open to conversations with employees and managers and hold leadership accountable. Through their servant leadership and actions, they help shape our company culture. Focused on accountability and transparency, they’re removing communication barriers and are a vocal ally for their team.”

Autumn, thank you for championing diversity and inclusion. Your efforts make Macrina a better place for everyone, and we’re grateful to have you steering the ship at Maple Leaf Café.

Continuously Improving: Erica Moscal, Delivery AM

Erica’s journey with us is the epitome of growth and dedication. Starting as a packer in August 2021, she quickly showcased her talent and commitment. By July 2022, she was promoted to lead, and just a year later, she stepped into the role of AM. Fanny highlights how Erica embodies continuous improvement: “Erica is clear and direct with her staff, providing constructive feedback that helps everyone grow. Give her a goal, and she’ll work hard to achieve it — or even overachieve it. She seeks ways to improve communication and diversify the delivery department, even using a translator device to ensure all non-English speakers are on the same page.”

Her coworkers often say, “If you want to get something done, talk to Erica,” a testament to her reputation for reliability and effectiveness. Erica focuses on self-improvement in her managerial skills, being vulnerable and open-minded — a rare combination that fosters trust and collaboration. She takes ownership of the delivery department, continuously pushing toward improvement and encouraging her team to do better.

Erica, your relentless pursuit of excellence inspires us all. Thank you for making Macrina’s delivery department a model of efficiency and unity.

 

A Heartfelt Thank You

To our award winners — Amos, Sang, Ginger, Autumn, and Erica — your dedication and embodiment of our core values make Macrina not just a better bakery, but a better family. Thank you for all that you do!

Hello, Mercer Island!

On Saturday, July 5, we’ll unlock the doors to our newest café at 3051 78th Ave. SE, right across from Mercerdale Park on Mercer Island. Guests will find a spacious patio and a warm, welcoming interior — and everything you love about Macrina: crackly-crusted artisan breads, buttery cornetti, pastries, cakes, tarts, hearty sandwiches, comforting soups, weekend-brunch favorites, seasonal specials, and a complete lineup of espresso drinks. 

“Over the years, many Mercer Island and Eastside residents have visited our Seattle cafés,” says Scott France, president and part-owner of Macrina. “They frequently ask when we might open one closer to them. We’re thrilled to join a neighborhood that’s already welcomed us in spirit.” 

For those living on the Eastside, the café will make it much easier to grab your favorite Macrina items for parties, and it will also serve as a destination spot for brunches, lunches, meeting friends after a stroll through the farmers’ market, and business meetings. For islanders, we hope you’ll make the Mercer Island café part of your daily ritual. We’re delighted to be on the island and can’t wait to see you soon. 

The café will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.