Rooted in place, growing with purpose

Terry Ward

This month, the Wenatchee Business Journal turns its focus to enterprises that are deeply rooted in place — businesses that reflect the land, culture, and values of North Central Washington while also shaping its future through innovation, resilience, and stewardship.

At the heart of this issue is a growing movement: businesses leading with intention when it comes to sustainability and land use. In Leavenworth, companies like Derby Canyon Natives, Alpenglö Living, and Shelter and Seeds are helping landowners reimagine what it means to care for their surroundings. Whether it’s designing native gardens that restore pollinator populations or building edible landscapes that conserve water and regenerate soil, these businesses aren’t just offering services — they’re inviting people into a new relationship with the land.

As Derby Canyon Natives’ Mel Asher told us, “There’s a tremendous amount of growth in the industry right now… there’s just an increasing awareness in our area about water use and water efficiency, as well as habitat.” That awareness is more than a market trend — it’s a shift in mindset. These are companies that view economic viability and environmental responsibility not as competing interests, but as mutually reinforcing goals.

We also spotlight Cascade Mountain Cryo, where co-founders Ericka Hughes and Shawn Farber are introducing cryotherapy to Wenatchee — a cutting-edge treatment more often seen in large cities. But their story is really about connection. They aren’t just offering a service; they’re creating partnerships, like their recent one with the Wenatchee AppleSox, to bring wellness and recovery options to athletes and residents alike. It’s a model of how rural businesses can blend medical innovation with local roots to serve real needs in their communities.

Then there’s Loop Trail Café, where owner Dianne Hall has found a home for her dreams just steps from the Columbia River. The café, the only one directly on the Loop Trail, isn’t just a place to grab a coffee or a “Zombie” breakfast pastry — it’s a reflection of Hall’s journey through the food industry and her belief that hospitality can build community. “When people walk through the door here, they become family,” she says. It’s a simple truth with deep impact.

Meanwhile, up in the Chiwaukum Mountains, Alpine Lakes High Camp enters a new era under the stewardship of Tom Shelstad and Travis Cowan. Their goal is to preserve the soul of a wilderness haven while expanding its access and community reach. Their vision is not just about cabins and trails, but about creating a space where digital noise falls away and people rediscover presence — with the land and with each other.

Finally, in one of the most remote corners of Okanogan County, Split Heritage Apparel is proof that art, culture, and entrepreneurship know no geographic limits. Sarah and Jacob Lowe are building a streetwear brand from scratch, infused with their personal heritage and values. Every design is hand-crafted, every story original. It’s not fast fashion; it’s meaningful fashion — and it’s finding an audience far beyond the borders of Wauconda.

Together, these stories reveal a defining characteristic of our region’s business community: we don’t just do business in North Central Washington — we do business with it. Whether through regenerative land use, personalized wellness, cultural storytelling, or community gathering spaces, our entrepreneurs are proving that success in this region grows best when it’s planted with purpose.

Terry Ward is the CEO of Ward Media and the publisher of the NCW News, Cashmere Valley Record, Lake Chelan Mirror, The Leavenworth Echo, Quad City Herald, and the Wenatchee Business Journal. He can be reached at terry@ward.media.