09/20/2026
Happy birthday, Slate Cafe!
Seven years. Seven years?!?
It was September 20, 2019 when we bought Slate. Or, as I (Laura) like to remind everyone when I tell the story, that’s six months to the day from when we then temporarily closed because of COVID.
To that people usually chime in, “but look at you now!”
That makes me laugh because it’s so often impossible to measure progress when you’re thick in it, when you’re feeling every wave of panic that comes with running a small business. All the terrible things like staff quitting, staff ghosting, one star reviews, customers who can just be so remarkably mean. There’s just so much stress, so much worry.
But also, when people say, “look at you now!” it’s so important because it reminds me to focus on the good.
Like all of you.
The wonderful employees who have stayed and make Slate 1000x better than I could ever do alone. The fabulous customers who keep showing up and give helpful feedback and interact with kindness. My friends and family who help with so much behind the scenes to keep Slate moving.
Honestly, nothing about Slate is like the dream I had at age 22 to own a cafe.
Will I do this till I’m 60? I highly doubt it. When I get around to moving on and people ask me what it was like to own a cafe I’m pretty sure I will focus on the great conversations I get to have while I’m making your latte, the pride I feel when I remember your drink (at least your face!) from six months ago on your last visit, the joy of seeing your kids grow, meeting your dogs, seeing your smiles, feeling like all that stress and worry is much less because of all of you. ❤️
So, happy birthday to us, but also, thank you from the bottom of my heart for keeping us here and thriving through what has been a wild seven years.
Cheers and thank you for your kindness and consistent support! 🎉