A coffee brand that got its start in Cowlitz County now has another Clark County location, after Derek and Justina Taft opened their second Red Leaf Organic Coffee franchise in Brush Prairie on Monday, Oct. 19. The new shop sits across from Prairie High School at the former Fairway Coffee site, giving students, parents and commuters along that stretch a new drive-thru option.
The Tafts, who live in Kelso, became Red Leaf's first franchisees when they opened their original location in Orchards in June 2025, according to The Reflector. That first store, Derek Taft believes, has grown into Red Leaf's highest-grossing location, a success he attributes to visibility and the relationships the couple built with customers and local schools. The Brush Prairie shop marks the couple's second Red Leaf franchise and their attempt to replicate that formula on the other side of the county.
Why Brush Prairie, and Why Now
Derek Taft first scouted the former coffee shop property back in December 2025 while looking for a second location, per the same Reflector report. He said the building, its landscaping and its existing drive-thru were exactly what the couple wanted, and that the location offered an opportunity to connect with students and teachers. The drive-thru queue, by the Tafts' own estimate, can accommodate 10 to 15 vehicles.
Rather than open with fanfare, the Tafts used a soft launch to iron out operational kinks before ramping up promotion. Derek Taft said initial sales at the Brush Prairie store have already exceeded expectations. He added that he wants Prairie High School students in particular to know they can stop by before or after school to hang out and get something that tastes good and is a bit healthier.
Longtime Restaurant Owners Branch Into Coffee
Coffee is actually a newer venture for the Tafts, who bring nearly three decades of combined restaurant experience to the business. The couple also owns a Taco Time location in Longview, and Derek Taft's sister owns another Taco Time in Kelso. That food-service background shows up in how the Tafts talk about community ties: Derek Taft said the couple supports local schools and sponsors activities, while also prioritizing fast service times and top-quality products.
That community-first approach extends beyond the counter. The Tafts planned to bring roughly 150 drinks and pastries to a varsity volleyball game on Oct. 22, a gesture consistent with how they built the Orchards store's following. Justina Taft said the couple is grateful for the acceptance they have received from the Brush Prairie community so far.
More Growth on the Horizon, Including a Nevada Expansion
The Tafts are already eyeing further expansion closer to home, with Derek and Justina Taft considering additional locations in Salmon Creek and Ridgefield. Red Leaf's ambitions extend well beyond southwest Washington, too: the company plans to expand into Nevada, with a Henderson location anticipated to open in December. Justina Taft said that Henderson store will be owned by another husband-and-wife franchisee team.
Red Leaf Organic Coffee began in Woodland in 2008, building a menu that includes organic coffee alongside options for customers with dietary restrictions. The brand's reach into Clark County echoes a similar expansion unfolding to the west, where What Now Portland reports Red Leaf is also taking over a former Starbucks space near H&M at Vancouver Mall, a space that had sat empty since Starbucks closed its mall location in 2024. Co-founder Ray Vandervalk told that outlet the mall location was planned to open Sept. 7. Outside of its company-owned stores in Woodland, Longview, Kelso and Camas, the same report notes Red Leaf's franchise locations operate in Kalama, Toutle and Vancouver.
Keeping the Family Feel as the Brand Grows
Despite the expanding footprint, Derek and Justina Taft said they do not want growth to compromise the company's family identity or its relationships with the communities it serves. The couple, who have three children involved in traveling sports, said they view their employees as part of their extended family and emphasize skill development and advancement opportunities for staff.
Derek Taft said he values creating a space where people can enjoy coffee, food and conversation together, a philosophy the Tafts appear intent on carrying from Orchards to Brush Prairie and wherever comes next. The Brush Prairie store, located at 11504 NE 119th Street, Ste 104, in Vancouver, is open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
