Papaccino’s new owners: “We care about community and canines”

"Iron Mutt" coming

By Elizabeth Ussher Groff

The Bee, Oct 1, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Elizabeth Ussher Groff / THE BEE

Sean and Rachelle Daugherty, shown with 5½ month old daughter Adeleine, are the new owners of Papaccino’s Coffee Shop in Woodstock. Sean, a former insurance agent, says Rachelle now has the “real job” (as Manager in Providence physician development), while he has the “dream job” of running what will be renamed Iron Mutt Coffee.

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When Papaccino’s Coffee Shop opened twenty years ago on the far north side of the Woodstock Safeway shopping center, where the Woodstock Eye Clinic now resides, coffee houses were a relatively new phenomenon in Portland.

Today, the coffee phenomenon has taken off and is thriving, and coffee houses have become multi-dimensional. People love the taste of a good brew, but they also value a coffee shop that is comfortable and community-minded, besides being conveniently located to home or work.

Many coffee houses hit their stride when they find their particular “niche”.

In Woodstock, Papaccino’s niche has been as an “anchor” coffee shop in the heart of a family-friendly neighborhood. Comfortable over-stuffed chairs are placed so customers can look out the big bay windows onto the boulevard, and small and large tables allow for solo sipping, tete-å-tete get-togethers, or larger meetings over beverage. For outdoor refreshment, there is seating under the awning.

Papaccino’s owner for the past two decades has been Ruth Garvin. In the past several years, Ruth’s focus has shifted to winemaking in southern Oregon, and so she has decided to give up her two coffee shops — the one in Woodstock, and the other in the Burlingame neighborhood on S.W. Terwilliger Boulevard at Taylor’s Ferry Road.

Three months ago, as mentioned in THE BEE at the time, native Oregonians Sean and Rachelle Daugherty bought both shops. There will be some changes, but the Daughertys say they will retain the things that have contributed to Papaccino’s success.

“Our hope is that people understand that we don’t want to change something that is good, but we hope to add to and improve on this for the community,” says Sean. New equipment — grinders, brewers, and an espresso machine — have been installed, and interior improvements are in progress.

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