Local Yokels
Last year I shared about some of my favorite local spots.
You can check out that blog by clicking here.
As the Walla Walla valley continues to grow and since I’m not a 5 generation Walla Waller, I thought I’d do a second round of places to check out if you haven’t ever…or haven’t in a while!
VALLEY CHAPEL CEMETERY
Oh lord, she’s opening this with a cemetery visit! But hear me out - the west coast doesn’t have near as much of history as the east. So when you get a chance to see some of it, go!
Not only are the sayings on the stones very indicative of the time, the ages of the departed will have you re-evaluating all the things you take for granted.
Valley Chapel Cemetery is on Frog Hollow Road, right where Valley Chapel Road t’s into it. I believe it’s on private land, but there aren’t any No Trespassing signs. The cemetery is usually well maintained, but there may be weeds in the summer. Enjoy the space like you would any other resting ground. There’s plenty of room to park on the shoulder, just keep in mind Frog Hollow is a heavily trafficked road for agricultural vehicles.
TATE’S MERCANTILE
Worth the drive into Umapine, a stop at Tate’s is a great way to get a hearty meal.
It’s a very, very small place — like just 4 tables — but they do take away.
Stay A-round Donuts & Fry Pies
They’ve only been around a few years but they’ve got a big following. Follow them on social for their ever-change schedule and location. Their donuts have evolved from more of a cake-like consistency to more of a krispie kream style. Their fry-pies go quickly and are usually packed with local fruit.
It’s the perfect midweek pick-me up
Trust me, all snoots agree.
JENSEN HARDWOODS
We’ve done a bunch of renovations on our old farmhouse. So glad we discovered Jensen’s early on, because they’ve got a huge selection of wood.
Not that you need to be renovating a farmhouse to find something cool in their place. They make large slab tables with live edges that I’ve seen in businesses, wineries and restaurants in town. They have a great mill onsite so even if you need regular old poplar, you can get it from them and cut to dimension.
Purl2 Walla Walla
Our local knit shop Purl 2 is hands-down the best and longest running local yarn shop in our area.
The shop originally opened on Main Street but a few years ago they made a short move to the Showroom on Colville.
It’s run by 2 awesome boss ladies, Sara and Leah. And they’re not just knitting machines…they’re also indie yarn dyers…
Their independent yarn label, Purls Before Wine, is dyed up in a wide array of colors. The shop is packed with all kinds of beautiful yarns, notions and other local craft goodies. And if you’re not yet a knitter, you’re in luck — they offer classes!
They even have cozy chairs and encourage you to ‘sit & knit’ a while. A few times a month they host a knit night with their Showroom neighbor, Bergevin Lane Vineyards.
Give the Purl Girls a look and then spin around and see the other cool shops in the Showroom.
WALLA WALLA CHEESE CO.
They’ve got an adorable store where you can get all kinds of cheeses and butters. My go-to are the cheese curds.
New (in the last year or so) is ice cream. Beyond the classics, they’ve got a nice selection of artisan flavors with waffle cones and toppings. Next door is the creamery - and you can watch them working the milk into cheese just as if you were on Pikes Place Market in Seattle. Definitely worth a trip.
They’re on Milton-Freewater’s main drag which is clean, safe and walkable. You should give them a taste.
Hope you enjoyed this latest edition.
Get out and be a tourist in your own hometown and support small, local business!
I’ll for sure be doing another one of these roll ups again, so if you’ve got a place to share, leave it in the comments!