RF couple makes coffee shop home to all

RIVER FALLS – When Darren Graves and Wendi Clarke learned Selah Vie Coffee Cottage in River Falls was for sale, Clarke said she knew it was God’s plan for them to own it. The faith-based couple believes they were drawn to the café for a reason.

The couple closed on the café on April 30 and jumped head first into their “pipe dream” of owning a coffee shop on May 1. They took over Selah Vie from previous owners Tom and Kim Jensen, who ran the business with daughters Holly and Stephanie.

Clarke and Graves, who currently live in Cottage Grove, Minn., have always loved River Falls’ small-town atmosphere. On a visit to River Falls last year, Clarke felt a pull even then to the little shop, nestled at 208 N. Main St. Lo and behold, her best friend was in town late last year looking for a vacant property for a different purpose, when she learned Selah Vie was for sale. The rest, as they say, is history.

“The lightbulbs went off instantly,” Graves said.

“I kept asking my friend, ‘Are you sure?’” Clarke said. It seemed too good to be true. “It was God’s time and here we are.”

Both have spent years in the hospitality industry. In fact, they met in 2004 while working at Casper’s Cherokee of Eagan, Minn. They share one daughter together, age 13. Clarke also has three grown children.

Graves began working at the West Wind Supper Club in 2014, and became general manager in 2015. He treasures the relationships he’s made with many locals, including Tony Leon and Kevin Pechacek from the West Wind, and the people at Kinnic Falls Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services.

“One thing I’ve always loved in River Falls, it has the small-town feel to it,” Graves said. “Customers are loyal and friendly.”

It’s not just anywhere that you can walk to the movie theater, pop into the arcade and feed the ducks, after all.

“River Falls has stuff you can’t do just anywhere,” Graves said.

He added that when they learned of Selah Vie’s for-sale status, the glow in Clarke was undeniable. Graves also glows when he talks about the shop and being in recovery.

“Recovery and the restaurant business sometimes clash,” he acknowledged, since serving alcohol is common in restaurants.

That’s one reason the coffee shop is so important to him and Clarke. They want it to be a place where the sober community can gather, make connections and feel welcome. A place to host Bible studies, meetings, and even NFL drafts, if people want a place to do that where alcohol is not served.

“The Lord has been opening doors for us,” Clarke said.

Since taking over May 1, the community has welcomed them with open arms, they said. They are not shy about sharing their faith with others, and hope to build a “culture and atmosphere of faith” at Selah Vie.

“After all, look at all that God has done for us,” Clarke said.

Graves added that 2020’s hardships made everyone realize a few things. For example, life is short. He and Clarke became engaged on Valentine’s Day and will marry in October.

He quieted as he spoke about people becoming more comfortable coming out into public now too. He witnessed two women greet each other at Selah Vie who hadn’t seen each other in months. They were crying; the authenticity of the moment made Graves happy he was hidden behind the kitchen wall, he smiled.

“There are a lot of miracles here,” he said.

As for the café’s offerings, expect a menu of fresh baked goods, paninis and sandwiches, along with maintaining the quality and consistency customers have come to expect. Fans of the wood-fired pizzas can rejoice, as those will make a comeback later this year. The couple values feedback from customers, so suggestions are welcome.

On that note, they’ve had requests for extended evening hours. That will be coming, but they are in the process of hiring more staff to accommodate that.

Current hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

They’re excited to soon be freshening up the space cosmetically with fresh coats of paint, but Clarke knows she has to take it all step-by-step. As the shop name indicates, “Selah” in Hebrew has been interpreted to mean taking a break. Clarke said Graves balances out her tendency to dive in head first, wanting everything done right now.

As for the ultimate goal, it’s to be an everyday staple in River Falls.

“This is just the beginning, for years to come,” Graves said.

“Attitude is servitude, and Darren exhibits that every day,” Clarke said. “He is genuine and giving and authentic.”

And that is what they hope customers will find Selah Vie to be.

For updates, follow Selah Vie Coffee Cottage on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Wendi Clarke and Darren Graves aren’t making drastic changes to the interior of Selah Vie, but want to refresh and revitalize the space with fresh paint and accessories.

Assistant Manager Sam Brandt has been essential in the owner transition, saidWendi Clarke and Darren Graves. She has worked at the café for eight months.