The Commons patio at dusk, string lights and star lanterns strung over the tables
Cafe hours · Sun–Fri 7:30am–5pm · Sat until 8pm

Cafe & Books · Langley, WA

Gather.
Learn. Grow.

An intentional space for coffee and conversations where people of all ages may gather, learn, and grow. A nonprofit cafe, a bookstore, and a first job for South Whidbey students.

See the menu Plan a visit
Cafe hours
Sun–Fri 7:30am – 5pmSaturday After Hours until 8pm
Kitchen · winter
Sun–Thu 7:30am – 3:30pmFri & Sat 7:30am – 4:30pm
Find us
124 2nd Street, Langley360-221-2414

Our mission

Coffee, conversation, and a first job.

The South Whidbey Commons is a nonprofit organization. We provide workplace training to middle and high school students, and serve as a venue for all kinds of multigenerational events and activities.

Beverage and food sales, book sales, donations, and grants fund our programs, allowing South Whidbey Commons Cafe & Books to provide a safe and nurturing environment where all can feel at home.

501(c)(3)A community nonprofit. Every purchase funds the programs.
Youth trainingReal workplace experience for middle and high school students.
EventsA venue for multigenerational gatherings and activities.
Five South Whidbey Commons board members standing in front of the cafe sign
The South Whidbey Commons board, left to right: Wendy Cordova, Gabrielle Herring, Greg Coe, Cathy Waymire-Rooks, Sheena Cauthorn.

Saturdays · 7:30am – 8pm

Saturday After Hours

On Saturdays the cafe stays open into the evening.

"An all ages evening hangout without the alcohol."

EVERY SATURDAY · CAFE OPEN UNTIL 8PM · 124 2ND STREET, LANGLEY

The Cafe and Books storefront with a whipped iced drink in the foreground

Workplace training

For the youth and their future.

We work with local schools to give middle and high school students training in real-world business operations: employable skills, school credit, experience, and a reference.

01

Team Building

An environment where local youth build social and teamwork skills in a safe workplace: conflict resolution, constructive problem-solving, working hierarchy, and work-environment friendships.

02

Responsibility Building

The demands of a first job can be a shock. We introduce students to the responsibilities and rigors of work with supportive direction, something a first-job employer may not afford.

03

Skills Building

Functional skills specific to food service, a common first job: cleaning, knife and cooking skills, barista-ing, customer service, and money handling.

What trainees learn

  • Knife skills
  • Cooking & plating
  • Following recipes
  • Barista
  • POS & transactions
  • Money handling
  • Customer service
  • Teamwork
  • Dept. of Health food safety

Join our team

Build a better community for all ages.

Cook, bake, barista, handle books, keep things tidy, help with special events. You can do it as a volunteer, as a trainee for school credit, or as an employee.

01 · GIVE TIME

Volunteer

Contribute your spare time to a community-based cause. Barista, cooking, baking, training our youth, handling books, cleaning, helping with events and fundraisers.

Apply to volunteer

02 · SCHOOL CREDIT

Trainee

For middle and high school students. Earn school credit while gaining real-world, employable skills, plus experience and a reference for whatever comes next.

Apply to be a trainee

03 · FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES

Employee

Already have experience in barista-ing, cooking, baking, or teaching others? Gain more experience or make a living on the island, with flexible schedules.

Apply to be an employee

Also seeking board members. Help steer a nonprofit that belongs to the whole community.

Ask about the board

Cafe & Books

Books, and the people who write them.

We are accepting donations of lightly used books published after 2010. Book sales help fund our programs.

Local author? We display and sell local books on consignment.

Donate books Sell on consignment

We support local

Like, seriously local.

Mukilteo Coffee Roasters

Roasted and blended right here in Langley, WA.

Visit MCR →
Whidbey Island Bagel Factory

New York style bagels from Clinton. We carry plain, everything, jalapeno-cheddar, and garlic-parmesan. Many more varieties at their shop at Ken's Corner, Clinton.

Visit WIBF →

Support the Commons

Every cup pays it forward.

South Whidbey Commons is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law, and they go straight into the building, the kitchen, and the training programs.

Current project

Bringing our kitchen up to date in compliance with new health code regulations, in order to serve you better.

EIN 33-1027530. Questions about giving, or arranging a physical donation? Reach the board at swcommonsmgmt@gmail.com.

Online

Give securely through PayPal.

Donate via PayPal
At the register

Next time you're in for coffee, just ask. We also take donations by in-person appointment.

By mail

South Whidbey Commons
PO Box 222, Langley, WA 98260

Concept by GMTek AI. A direction, not the live site.