Locals Only Coffee isn’t an exclusive club for Whidbey Islanders, but a new coffee shop in Freeland.

“People ask us all the time why we are called Locals Only,” Jodi Crimmins said.

But owners Jodi and Jon Crimmins don’t intend to keep tourists or other visitors out of their business. Instead, they get the name from their commitment to bring customers the best locally roasted coffees from a variety of top Pacific Northwest roasters, including Mukilteo Coffee. They also use local products in their kitchen and have local art on their walls.

In fact, tourists find the new cafe, located at 1794 Main St., a quite inviting place. And so do locals.

“We are trying to make this a place for the community,” Jodi Crimmins said.

“It’s been fabulous. It’s kind of magical how it’s coming alive,” she added.

Locals Only Coffee opened its doors for business on July 19.

“We already have regulars,” Jon Crimmins said with a laugh.

“And they have their favorite chairs,” he added pointing at two of the unique bar chairs made from old tractor seats.

Besides coffee specialties, the cafe offers a lunch and breakfast menu and desserts.

“We have awesome panini, and our quiche is baked every day,” Jodi Crimmins said.

They also offer a variety of gifts and coffee accessories such as Bodum coffee makers or, the current best-seller, AeroPress, a one-cup coffee maker that works with heat and pressure and creates an espresso-like coffee shot.

Locals Only Coffee started as an Internet company that sold Pacific Northwest coffees online, but they outgrew their Freeland home office, and the Crimmins had the vision for a retail location.

The online shop continues to run as well, and there is even a computer station with the online catalogue in the store.

One of the best parts about the new venue is the interaction with customers, Jodi Crimmins said.

“It’s so cool. That’s what I didn’t like about the Internet business. You never saw who bought your stuff,” she said.

There is lots of space to interact now, though. The cafe stands out through its size. It seats 75 people.

But why yet another coffee shop on South Whidbey? It’s part of the local culture, the Crimmins explained.

“It’s a beautiful coffee culture,” she said.

“People like to get together. Regulars like to have their own seats and feel at home,” Jon Crimmins added.

Not to forget, the Pacific Northwest plays a major role in modern coffee culture — with many of the leading coffee companies headquarters located just a stone’s throw away from the island.

“Seattle is the driving force behind this culture,” he said. “What Philly sandwiches are to Philadelphia, coffee is to Seattle.”

Michaela Marx Wheatley can be reached at 221-5300 or

mmarxwheatley@southwhidbeyrecord.com.