This story is brought to you by Live in Everett Member, Lamoureux Real Estate.

It was definitely a cruel summer between when we published our first blog post about Catalyst Café on July 27th and their soft opening on November 2nd. Owner AJ Gearhart operates pretty transparently, so the Facebook posts during that time were a harrowing look for the uninitiated at how much time and work goes into opening a small business. 

Since I found the café on TikTok, I've been really excited to stop in. AJ doesn't use that app as a marketing or advertising tool so much as a way to communicate with customers. They tell stories about their day, plus what's happening with the menu and in the neighborhood. Basically the conversations you might have in the café if you were a regular, but virtually.

That's why I was so ready to visit, because I knew from TikTok that Catalyst has breakfast sandwiches on bagels, with eggs cooked to perfection in a donut pan of all things.

My breakfast was definitely worth the wait. The eggs in my sandwich were herby and fluffy, flavorful enough to compete with the shamelessly thick stack of ham beneath. Cheese and a tangy touch of mayo made my plain bagel anything but.

The white mocha was sweet and buzzy, but even without it I'd have been jazzed to talk to AJ about the café. Not just because it's wonderful to finally have a queer gathering space in Snohomish County again, but because it's a community-focused business with a mission to give back.

Gearhart explained, "The reason why it's called 'Catalyst' is because I want it to be a catalyst for community formation, and people coming together to push their own change. To build healthy relationships with each other in a cooperative and collaborative space. That's what I want."

It's already happening. Café hours after the grand opening will be different, because three groups wanted to use the back area for weekly meetings. "Sometimes the back table fills up with people who just walked in and heard people talking back there and said, 'I want to be part of this conversation. We want to drive this policy change, here's how we're gonna do this, we're gonna canvas!' and it turns into this huge thing. Everybody just starts pitching in with ideas, it's so cool."

The café also has a community board (please ask before posting!) and will soon host a Little Free Library and clothing donations. You can already buy discounted meal vouchers for $10, which Gearhart keeps in the register for neighbors in need. That voucher is good for a breakfast sandwich, a 16oz black coffee, a donut, and a bag of chips, and if the vouchers pile up, Gearhart donates the meals to Snohomish County Equity Alliance and The 4-Ten Project, among others.

You can also help by donating hygiene products for the Unicorn Cabinet in the restroom, such as menstrual products, toothpaste, and deodorant. (Just don't bring any condoms, the county is very generous with those.) Need any such items? Ask for the key when you visit, no questions will be asked. 

My favorite thing Gearhart said while I was there is that when it comes time to hire more staff, they're not interested in anyone with lots of café experience. Those people could get a job anywhere, and Catalyst is a place to lift people up who actually need the opportunity.

Excited to visit? The café is closed from December 27 to January 10 to prepare for the grand opening on January 11. And if you're joining the Martin Luther King Jr. Day March January 14th, stop by the café after for a discount! Follow Catalyst Café on Facebook and get excited for this wonderful, friendly community space.

Want to be a part of Catalyst Café's success? Support it via GoFundMe or the café's Amazon Wish List.

Catalyst Café
1513 23rd St
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 212-9364

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Christopher Bragg works from home in Everett and loves walking, swimming, and cats. You can find him all over town, but only if you keep weird hours and avoid crowds like he does.