A popular crepe shop in Richland’s Uptown Shopping Center is changing hands as its founding owner focuses on other parts of his business and family. 

Kagen Cox announced in a social media video on Sept. 9 that he and his wife, Jennifer, who is a co-owner, were selling Kagen Coffee & Crepes to Zimri and Maria Barker who were among the previous owners of The Local, a coffee shop that sold its last location to Spokane’s Indaba Coffee Roasters in 2021.  

The Barkers will take over the crepe restaurant at 270 Williams Blvd. on Oct. 1. 

Cox said his desire to dedicate more time to his family as well as focus on Kennewick-based Rockabilly Roasting Co., which he bought in January 2024, led him to decide “it was time to pass the torch on the crepe shop.” 

“I have just over the last couple of years just spread myself too thin,” Cox said in the video. 

Cox founded the crepe shop almost 10 years ago. At one time it had two other locations outside its original near the Uptown Theater, one in downtown Kennewick and another in Spokane. Those have since closed with the Kennewick location now occupied by Rise & Shine Bake Shop.  

Cox was also involved in the renovation of the Cascade Building in downtown Kennewick that was devastated by fire several years ago. Tenants have already occupied the top floor while the ground floor commercial spaces remain vacant and unfinished. 

The Local, founded by the Barkers and Michael and Jenna Tormanen in 2013, originally operated at 8530 W. Gage Blvd. and opened a second location in Blankspace, a meeting and event venue, in Southridge. The Tormanens sold the business just before moving to Tennessee. 

Cox said current staff are staying on at the crepe shop and he asked that all who have supported the business continue to do so under the new owners. 

“They have some great new ideas they’re bringing in,” he said. 

9/12/2025: This article was updated to add the names of the new owners of Kagen's Coffee & Crepes and correct the date for when The Local was founded.