A Moment With Lauren and Ellison

Lauren Stein (left) and Ellison Barry (right) in front of Soul Food Coffee House in Redmond, WA.

July 2, 2025
By Madeline Virginia

In May, Redmond Moments covered the new ownership of Soul Food Coffee House. Now, we’re checking in with Redmond residents Lauren Stein and Ellison Barry to see what life is like as co-owners.

A couple months in, how are we feeling?

Lauren: I’m feeling spectacular, actually!

Ellison: There’s a lot of good energy right now. People are being very generous with their time. Everyone who works here really cares about this place. 

Lauren: And it feels amazing, because my goal has always been to create spaces where people feel really safe and really loved… Now to have a space where people want to come to work is great. And the customers feel it, too. 

I’ve never run a business before. When I don’t know something, it’s fine because I’m surrounded by really smart and capable people. So, I can ask questions all over the place and learn. 

How have the new events been going? 

Lauren: Molly [another member of the leadership team] does event management— and we have a packed schedule. It’s awesome, it’s so fun. We’re finding more and more ways to connect with the community. When you give people opportunities, they come back and they bring more people. And then that brings back more opportunity for everyone. 

Ellison: We’re trying to say ‘yes’ to a lot of things right now, and that’s bringing about a lot of energy with it. It’s very invigorating.

What parts of yourself do you hope shine through to your business?

Lauren: I’m just a big ball of love. I just really love people, and I love connection. I love connecting people to each other. 

Ellison: I really like mutual aid and community connections. Actual action that may be hard, like dealing with people you don’t agree with and caring for them. And actually knowing the people that live here and how they feel about things. Now, I’m getting a physical place where I can feel like I’m doing that and providing that for people.

Do you have any favorite spots around Redmond?

Ellison: I’d have to say the Connector Trail is my place.

Lauren: Oh, I love the trail. I also really love Brick and Mortar Books.

Ellison: Oh, yes, Brick and Mortar is so great. They do book clubs and author events, so they do connective stuff as well.

Lauren: And Ben Franklin!

Ellison: Absolutely, we love Ben Franklin. And this little toy store here, Snapdoodle.

Favorite drinks on the menu?

Lauren: I have a drink on the menu, it’s called the Lo’s Mocha. I go by ‘Lo’ sometimes. It’s got chocolate, Irish cream, espresso, and hemp milk.

Anything else you want people in Redmond to know?

Ellison: We’ll take care of you here, we’ll fight for you.

A hand-drawn sign at Soul Food Coffee House.