Family Stories: The Oppelaar Family

Stephanie and John Oppelaar and their daughters Edith and Bea became permanent homeowners in 2017. Their participation in the KulshanCLT program allowed their young family to stay in this community, near their small business, to finish (and start) college, and stay connected to the customers that have become their friends.

Originally from Port Orchard, Stephanie began working at The Black Drop Coffeehouse in 2003. By 2009, Stephanie had partnered with other employees to buy the business. Later she met her husband John, a disabled veteran originally from Anacortes. He too began working at the Black Drop and eventually became its manager.

“I love the people downtown, hearing their stories, getting to know them.” Above the shop are the rent-controlled Mt. Baker Apartments. “We know most of the residents. They and downtown business owners are our customers but they are also our friends and neighbors—our community.”

The Oppelaars also have seven employees to look out for. “We pay more than minimum wage and offer vision benefits because we care and we want them to stay. But that also means after bills and repairs, there’s not a lot left over for us at the end of the month.”

In 2013, with baby, dogs, and plans child #2, the Oppelaars began renting a modest home in the Marietta area. Their landlord liked them so didn’t raise the rent for four years despite escalating rental prices. When the landlord was ready to sell in 2017, the Oppelaars realized they were priced out of the Bellingham housing market. Comparable homes they could afford were as far away as Sedro Woolley.

But their lives were here—at the Black Drop, at Western, at the girls’ schools. Stephanie had gone back to school in 2017 to finish her degrees in Biology and Secondary Education. The bus took them from home to downtown to campus and to Edith’s preschool. Bea had just started kindergarten at Alderwood. John had plans to pursue his degree in computer science. Moving and a long commute would have jeopardized their business ownership and education and changed their whole lives.

With help from KulshanCLT’s downpayment assistance program, and first-time homebuyer and disabled veterans programs, the Oppelaars bought their home for less than market value. They could stay. Their full lives didn’t need to turn upside down. “The kindness of the people we have encountered here has been a constant theme for us,” notes Stephanie. “A huge weight was lifted. I thought, no one can make us move again. We don’t have to worry about losing our dogs. Our kids can grow up in this house and stay at the school they love, stay friends with our neighbors.” With over 15 years at the Black Drop, Stephanie could keep the business and finish her last year of college.

“The Black Drop has been a very vocal supporter of affordable housing and we make a point of donating as much as we can,” adds Stephanie. “Being a business owner and a voice in the community to speak out about housing affordability, homelessness, and domestic violence is really important to us. Without help purchasing our home, we wouldn’t be able to do that.”

In June 2018, the Oppelaars celebrated a new milestone: owning their share of the Black Drop outright. We are honored to welcome them to the KulshanCLT family.