Cover photo courtesy of Shallan Knowles
If you ever met Deb Di Bernardo, you would remember it, clearly. There was a small holiday get-together at a friend’s house and Deb was already there, at the head of the table, enthralling the room with her stories and her laugh. It was about the time she had just left her job and was starting Roast House Coffee. Her quick wit, love of expletives and unfiltered opinion left an impression. The success of Roast House is surely due to her energy and love of community.
She had hot coffee for early morning riders during Bike to Work Week and Spokefest. She caffeinated Spokane Bike Swap shoppers. She donated to local nonprofits with abandon. Her desire was to change the world and she did, not just with her coffee and her words. Deb loved people. If you stopped by the tasting room, you were a forever friend, with an invitation to the back, a tour, and an invitation to grab a seat and hang out a while. Although she left the world in December 2024, she will be ever present in the outdoor community. Her memory will forever be a f****** blessing.Â
