Why Kennewick’s crepe restaurant closed after 4 months. And what’s coming next
Jennifer and Kagen Cox spent months transforming the former Foodies restaurant in downtown Kennewick into a second location for their popular crepe business.
The couple opened the original Kagen’’s Coffee & Crepes in 2016 at Richland’s Uptown Shopping Center. By 2023, with the pandemic fading, they were looking to repeat their success at a second spot.
Kagen’s Kennewick opened in November at 308 W. Kennewick Ave. after a total rebuild of the space.
It’s tenure would not last long.
Not coincidentally, the Coxes and a partner bought the fire-damaged Cascade Building next door the same month Kagen’s opened.
The Coxes teamed with Kellen Adcock on the $650,000 deal that netted the nearly 12,000-square-foot heavily damaged structure.
Fires in 2022 and 2023 had gutted the 1940’s two-story building.
Cox and Adcock committed to restoring the second-floor apartments and its street-level commercial space, saying they were moved by faith to bring it back.
Kagen Cox said closing the new restaurant was difficult. But he found he was overextended trying to run two restaurants while also rebuilding a historic structure.
So, four months after it opened, Kagen’s closed its doors in Kennewick. The Richland business remains unaffected, said Cox who competed last year on Gordon Ramsay’s “Food Stars” program.
Too much at once
“We took on too much at once,” he said. “We decided we want to be an asset wherever we’re at.”
Kagen’s is gone, but its space is being renovated once again.
Annelee and Jonathan Giese will open Rise & Shine Bake Shop on May 31.
Rise & Shine started at Red Mountain Commercial Kitchen, a few blocks away from their new home.
Cox said he’d been impressed by Rise & Shine. When it posted that it had outgrown their digs and needed their own quarters, he spied a perfect opportunity. He offered the space and they accepted.
Details are forthcoming, but Rise & Shine will serve baked goods as well as Rockabilly coffee, Cox said.
Storied history
The space has a storied history as a Kennewick dining spot.
Before the Coxes opened a creperie, it was the Kennewick home to Foodies Brick & Mortar. Foodies founder Joanna Wilson moved her business to the Columbia River waterfront after the fire.
That business has since been closed, sold and is in the process of reopening under new ownership.
The Cascade Building has its own storied history as an iconic feature of downtown.
Kagen Cox is serving as general contractor on the renovations. As a first-time investor and contractor, he admits it’s been a steep challenge. He said progress is slow but measurable.
The second story is nearly fully restored with six apartments, four with two bedrooms and two studios. Work on the street-level commercial spots starts soon.
The apartments boast 10-foot ceilings, quartz countertops, instant hot water, keyless entry and security cameras, among other amenities.
Cox described the apartments as upscale, but not over the top.
Rent hasn’t been set yet. The apartments will be marketed to tenants once the building gets a city occupancy permit.
Sign Up: Boom Town Tri-Cities
Stay up to date on Tri-Cities growth and development with our weekly business newsletter. Get the latest on restaurant and business openings and closings, plus the region’s top housing and employment news. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Wednesday.
