Success Story: Trailhead Taproom and Outdoor Store – Where Cold Beers Meet Greasy Gears

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In the heart of North Bonneville, where trails meet town and neighbors become friends, one small business is quietly making a big impact. Trailhead Taproom and Outdoor Store, founded and operated by Jennifer, is a beloved local gem that blends bike repair with warm hospitality—offering locals and travelers alike a place to gather, refuel, and feel at home.

Jennifer didn’t grow up in a small town. She bounced through big cities before choosing to land somewhere she could both work and play in the same landscape. When she found North Bonneville, she knew she had found the right place—and set out to create a space where community connection came first.

With her hands-on experience as a bike mechanic and her heart set on pouring cold beers and feeding locals, Jennifer launched her dream business in October 2021. Thanks to a loan from the Skamania Economic Development Council (EDC), she turned her vision into reality—building a space that has grown into a true community watering hole.

Growth hasn’t come without hurdles. With 30% annual growth since 2021, Jennifer faced a key challenge: keeping up with food prep and storage in her tiny kitchen. The EDC loan helped her upgrade to commercial prep stations with built-in refrigeration, allowing her to maximize space and serve more customers efficiently.

Jennifer does it all: she works on bikes Sundays and Mondays, then opens the taproom for the rest of the week—keeping overhead low while investing back into her business and steadily paying down her loan. She’s a one-woman show with clear short- and long-term goals.

Looking ahead, Jennifer plans to expand across the street on property she already owns. Thanks to mixed-use zoning that allows for both commercial and residential development, she hopes to build a larger space with housing above the business meeting two community needs at once: more local housing and more vibrant commercial activity.

Despite her success, Jennifer chooses to stay rooted in local culture. She keeps advertising to a minimum, preferring the taproom to remain a true local gathering place. But she always welcomes the occasional traveler who stumbles in for a sandwich and a craft beer.

Trailhead Taproom and Outdoor Store is more than just a small-town business—it’s proof that with vision, hard work, and the right support, one person can help shape the culture and economy of an entire community.

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For more information on Trailhead Taproom and Outdoor Store visit  https://www.trailhead.beer/

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​For more information on how the Skamania EDC may be able to help you visit  https://www.skamania-edc.org/loan-programs

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