January 8th, was a cold day, even by Washington standards. It alternated between raining, and wind and sometimes both. And yet, in downtown Castle Rock, people were eating, drinking, and laughing outside at the Crosscut Taproom.
The reason locals and visitors alike enjoy the Crosscut Taproom so much is because of the people who run it...of course, the food and drinks are to die for too.
The Crosscut Taproom was established in 2019 by two locals, Jen & Chris Wills. They opened it with a dream and a passion to create an up beat, modern taproom and bring something new and unique to Castle Rock.
Fast forward to 2020, Jen & Chris had asked Maggie (Ashby) Bouma, who at the time was a bartender at Crosscut, if she and her family would be interested in purchasing the taproom from them.
The transfer of ownership was supposed to happen on May 1st, 2020 but then COVID-19 happened. This all was supposed to happen a month before Maggie's wedding but the wedding and date of purchase had to be pushed. So the ownership transfer happened July 1st and wedding August 1, 2020!
"Talk about a CRAZY couple of months," Ashlee said, "but our family couldn't have been more excited to take over the taproom and grow another business in Castle Rock." Ashlee & her sister, Maggie, also own the salon & spa, StylAsh Salon & Spa, in Castle Rock.
The two sister were born and raised in Castle Rock and love seeing the community they grew up in thrive.
The Crosscut Taproom is a family affair.... Maggie & Jesse Bouma, Ashlee & Zack Eatherton as well as help from parents, Darren & Karen Ashby. "Aside from family, we have an amazing group of employees that truly help make this business succeed," Ashley states, "and we love and appreciate all of the support from our community."
Castle Rock, Washington is chock full of family owned and operated businesses and is why the community rallies together when tragedy strikes, aka, covid-19. If you haven't been to the Crosscut Taproom yet, (but really who hasn't) don't wait. They have outdoor dining in line with Governor Inslee's Roadmap to Recovery plan as well as takeout and delivery available through The Rock Eats.
The Crosscut Taproom is located at 21 West Cowlitz Street, Castle Rock, Washington, 98611.