• Editor’s note: Thanks to a Yelm Community Blog reader’s suggestion, I interviewed The Shiplap Shop and Coffee House’s co-owner, Gary Rurup, which I thoroughly enjoyed. He and his wife Kristin have created another craft business investing in a downtown Yelm location. BRAVO!

Yelm Blogger: What made you and your wife decide to invest your creative minds in Yelm?

Gary Rurup: In 2004, my wife and I moved here because my folks live in Roy. We had a family of our own and were foster parents who adopted four children from that experience, three of which were brothers. We wanted to be close to my parents for the grand-kids. Editor’s note: I was really touched at hearing the story of Gary and Kirstin’s family. What gifts they have given and have received! The Rurups also have a wedding venue that seats up to 175 persons in a 32 sq. foot tent. Click here for The Rurup Farm info.

Yelm Blogger: Tell blog readers about your vision that created The Shiplap Shop.

Gary Rurup: The idea was to showcase area furniture crafts. Ship Lap is after Joanna Gaines show [HGTV’s Fixer Upper TV program in which she co-starred with her husband, Chip, in a reality TV series about home design and renovation.] We previously had some displays at the Yelm Farmers Market, and when an opportunity to move into this location emerged in Spring 2019, we thought this was the perfect fit. [The facility formerly house DreamTime Signs and others, requiring new doors and interior renovations]

Yelm Blogger: You took a sow’s ear and turned this spot in to a silk purse. Your shop has become the talk of the town. To what do you attribute being the “go-to” place in Yelm?

Gary Rurup: We have 114 artisans that showcase their items for sale here supporting local families. I get such joy writing 114 checks every month to each of these crafts people. We hold classes open to the public, i.e. painting. We are collaborating with Shelly and Leroy at Masonry Cafe for customers to buy food there and bring over here to sit, eat [with one of our coffee drinks], and browse. We will soon have a Masonry menu and customers will be able to order from Shiplap and have their food delivered while they enjoy their coffee. We also have a partnership with Pizzeria LaGitana, buy 10 drinks from us and get a free drink and a free 9″ pizza from LaGitana. Gift cards are also popular. We try to buy local.

Yelm Blogger: The coffee here is wonderfully aromatic and tasty – what makes such a difference?

Gary Rurup: We offer quality products that includes hand chosen coffee, i.e. shade grown coffee beans from Peru. Quality makes the difference. We added coffee after opening our shop so customers could have a drink as they browse. We sold 35,000 drinks in the first 8 months since opening.

Yelm Blogger: Any final thoughts to share?

We have top quality vendors and pride ourselves on promoting from within our community. We love Yelm and invite Yelm Blog readers to visit!

Tell The Shiplap Shop and Coffee House you read about them on the Yelm Community Blog.