We own and operate Poverty Bay Cafe located at 1108 S. 322nd Place and are in the process of expanding, which will more than double our seating capacity.

Years ago when we built out our current space, the reality was that the City of Federal Way was extremely difficult to work with and in fact seemed to do all it could to make opening a business in Federal Way as difficult as humanly possible.

Our experience with our current project could not possibly be more different than what we experienced before. I think the person to thank is our new Mayor Skip Priest. Everyone we have dealt with at City Hall has been more than helpful and the attitude we have experienced has been both competent and lighthearted. We have been treated with respect and a sense of cooperation rather than a sense of animosity.

I just wanted to thank everyone at City Hall for making what can be a very stressful process into something pleasant and enjoyable. I also wanted other citizens of Federal Way to know that leadership does matter and with Skip Priest as mayor, we have a caring and competent leader.

Dan Olmstead, president, Poverty Bay Coffee Company