Introducing: Alani at the Sandpoint office
Alani has been part of Evans Brothers Coffee for seven years, and if there is a role to try, chances are she has done it. Now our Admin and Social Media Manager, she has worked her way from production to the upstairs office, picking up a little bit of everything along the way. She is a Sandpoint local through and through, and after briefly trying to leave, she realized it had already claimed her. In her words, it feels a lot like living in Stars Hollow, and she is perfectly happy staying right where she is.
When she is not juggling projects behind the scenes, Alani is usually knitting, tending to her garden, or spending time with the people she loves. She is also a firm believer in self care, which helps her stay grounded in the middle of busy days and long to-do lists. She brings that same energy into her work, balancing creativity, organization, and a genuine love for her team. It is part of what makes her such a central piece of the Evans Brothers story.
The craft: What part of your role do you enjoy most, and why?
For Alani, no two days look the same, and that is exactly how she likes it. One minute she is working on a coffee launch, the next she is helping behind the scenes in production or creating something fun for social media. Working closely with the Brothers and the management team only adds to that, and she genuinely loves the people she gets to work alongside every day.
“The fact that my role is so versatile. I can leap frog from project to project throughout the day and it keeps things exciting,” Alani says. “From new coffee launches and invoicing, to marketing and non profit work, even bagging in production when it’s busy, I’m rarely doing the same thing every day, and I like supporting the team where I can.”
The reality: What is one thing people might not realize about working behind the scenes at Evans Brothers Coffee?
“Where do I start? The coffee industry is so vast, after 7 years it still feels like there are untapped places for me to go, like being a barista,” Alani says. “Starting in production and working my way to management, and now with my admin role, I get a great oversight of the business as a whole and can be utilized in many departments.”
From building out wholesale orders to creating social media content, managing the website, and working with local non profits, Alani’s role touches nearly every part of the business. She also gets to dive into the stories behind each coffee, helping translate that information for customers in a way that feels approachable and fun.
The journey: How did you get into coffee in the first place?
“I started drinking coffee when I got my first kitchen job and had to open at 6am. The restaurant was using Evans Brothers’ Schweitzer Mountain Blend, so I was lucky to start with high quality coffee right out of the gate. A couple more kitchens and a farming gig later, I traded my knife for a coffee scoop and never looked back,” Alani says.
At first, coffee was more about surviving early mornings than enjoying the flavor, but she quickly became fascinated by the care and craft behind it. Seeing Rick deliver fresh beans and make sure the brewer was dialed in planted a seed for her future at Evans Brothers.
The taste: What’s your go-to coffee order when you’re off the clock?
Even off the clock, Alani’s drink choices are thoughtful and a little playful, just like her. She likes exploring flavors and experimenting with seasonal syrups, and she never shies away from a little indulgence when the mood strikes.
“Unfortunately my body doesn’t process coffee caffeine well anymore, so I mostly drink matcha with oat milk and a little honey and lavender syrup. Or if there’s a yummy syrup on our seasonal menu that pairs well with matcha, I’ll go for that,” Alani says. “Pro tip: a lot of our seasonal housemade syrups are great in matcha, just ask our baristas! I will indulge in an 8oz decaf breve with honey when I need a treat. You’ve heard of death before decaf, but for me it’s death or decaf. Don’t judge me!”
The heart: How would you describe the vibe or community at Evans Brothers?
“It goes way beyond good, quality coffee and a cozy cafe. Evans Brothers is home. All are welcome here and that message has rippled throughout the town for years,” Alani says. “I know our cafe is a safe space for so many people and I feel grateful to be a part of it. We all really care about each other, I am never alone when I am at Evans Brothers.”
For Alani, the best part of Evans Brothers is the people. Coworkers and customers alike make the cafe feel like a community where everyone belongs. It is a place where kindness, authenticity, and connection thrive, and that sense of home is something she carries with her every day.
Brewing connection, one cup at a time
Alani’s role may be behind the scenes, but it shapes so much of what makes Evans Brothers special. From keeping the team organized to sharing the stories of the coffee and cafe online, she brings creativity, care, and a playful energy to everything she does. Her dedication, curiosity, and love for the community help make Evans Brothers feel like more than a coffee shop—it’s a place where people belong, connect, and feel at home.