If you’ve ever been to Aslan you’ve probably seen this friendly face… meet Stephanie!
Stephanie (Steph) has been a staple here at Aslan, having been here for over seven years! She has helped this place become what it is today and seen all the different forms Aslan has gone through. Steph started off at Aslan as a food runner and quickly moved up to server and bartender within the summer. Now you’ll find her slinging beer mostly at The Depot.
Originally from Vermont, Steph and her friends heard rumblings about Bellingham all through college. She knew that she wanted to get out of Vermont and after one visit to Bellingham on a uniquely sunny March day, she decided that it was going to be her new home. Mt Baker was also a huge draw for her, with snowboarding being a big part of her life.
On her drive out here from Vermont for the big move, Steph got a call from Aslan offering her a job. She started the day after she arrived and has stuck with us ever since!
Within her seven years at Aslan, Steph has taken many breaks from two weeks to two months to pursue her love for travel. “I always say that my favorite thing about Bellingham is leaving and coming back,” she said. Hawaii, Nepal, Brazil, and Peru, are just a few of the places that she visited. Steph is stuck between Peru and Brazil being her favorite place she’s visited. How could you choose?!
Outside of slinging beers, Steph loves to snowboard in the winter and take advantage of the nice weather in the summer. “I feel like in the summertime you appreciate it so much more because it's been so dark all winter!” she said. She does this by hiking, swimming, backpacking, and getting outdoors. Just today she jumped into Lake Whatcom!
Steph has big travel plans for her future! In fact, they are so big, that this weekend is her last weekend at Aslan! Her traveling starts with a cross-country road trip back to Vermont through California and the deserts. From Vermont, she is then flying out to Croatia with family. Next are Portugal, Spain, and possibly some other European countries. After her European adventures, Steph will be back on the East Coast for family and friend time.
“I'm so comfy here in Bellingham and I'm just excited to push myself and step out of my comfort zone for a second,” she said.
Of course, she will miss her daily doses of Aslan. She recently had the realization that she really enjoys the physical act of pouring beers and that it’s something she’s going to miss a lot. But the thing she will miss the most is the people she has gotten to work with and serve for so many years.
“Aslan has really been my family and my community since I've been here. It's kind of like built into the job almost. I definitely have formed really meaningful relationships with people here,” she said.
Steph is planning on coming back to Bellingham after her summer travels but is also open to moving somewhere else if a job takes her there. We are sad to see her go but so thankful for the time, care, and positive energy she’s brought to Aslan and so excited to see what she does next! And we are stoked to see her at the Depot once she returns… this time on the other side of the counter 😉
Visit her on Sunday at the Depot and wish her well on her next adventure!
