CHENEY, Wash. — After more than a decade of restoration work, the historic Cheney Depot has reopened its doors to the public, marking the first time in over 50 years that the nearly century-old building has buzzed with activity.
The restored train depot now serves as the new home for Eastern Coffee Roasters, a local business that began operations inside the building today.
“There were times I wondered if I would ever see this day,” said Rick Mount, president of the Cheney Depot Society, the group that has spent the last 12 years working to save and restore the historic structure.
Jill Weiszmann, treasurer of the Cheney Depot Society, said the organization logged significant hours bringing the building back to life.
“I know we have over 1,000 hours of volunteer time that have gone into refurbishing every door and window in this building,” Weiszmann said.
The depot’s journey to reopening was not without challenges. In 2014, the building faced potential demolition. The structure was later moved across town in 2020 before restoration work could begin.
For Eastern Coffee Roasters, becoming part of the depot’s storied history is exciting.
“Being a part of that is amazing for us, and to be able to share what we offer in terms of our products and services is just fantastic for us,” said Jeff Wright, Chief Revenue Officer.
The reopened depot offers visitors more than just coffee. The space features artifacts from the train depot’s past, including memorabilia dating back to the 1800s.
The Cheney Depot Society plans to rotate these historical exhibits quarterly, ensuring that repeat visitors will always discover something new about the area’s past.
Linda, who became the depot’s first customer, expressed her excitement about the building’s transformation.
“It is fantastic. It looks great. I am just so glad because it has been so many years since this building was here and no one was doing anything,” she said.
For Mount and the Cheney Depot Society, the project symbolizes a lasting contribution to the community.
“It is just a sense of pride that we have done something for our community that will last another 100 years,” Mount said.
The Cheney Depot Society is hosting a dedication ceremony on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., during which visitors can tour the space. Eastern Coffee Roaster will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Depot is located at 15 Union Street.
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