Life as a single parent of four children, University of Idaho student and business owner demands that Gina Cretser is organized.
Ricky Scuderi | Argonaut Rachel Schiell makes a double-shot mocha Thursday at Retro Espresso. Scheell works with her mom and stand-owner, Gina Cretser, and cousin Jade Cretser-Evans while carrying a full-time course load at the university.
“It’s a challenge,” Cretser said. “But it’s a positive challenge.”
When Cretser returned to school as a non-traditional student majoring in exercise science, she said she wanted a better way to earn money in Moscow.
Owning a coffee shop was nothing new for her. She used to own an espresso stand in Garden Valley, Idaho.
Abbott gave her retro shop to Crester and moved to Lewiston where she opened a coffee house called The Blue Lantern.
“I was talking to Dawn and I loved her products and her mindset and she was moving on, it was a good opportunity,” Cretser said.
Retro Expresso offers solely organic products to customers, varying from local espresso products, to hot, iced and chai teas, filled croissants, bagels, brownies and breakfast bars. The coffee house is open at 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Cretser’s business partner, Barry Johnson, received his commission at UI from the ROTC program three years ago and is currently serving in Afghanistan.
“I have lived all over the U.S. and around the world and there isn’t a place more friendly or beautiful than the Palouse,” Johnson said. “This is home for me and Retro Espresso shop is a great way to be part of Moscow’s community while continuing to serve with one last tour in Afghanistan before moving home for good.”
Cretser said the business has been busy and better than she expected with the help of her daughter Rachel Cretser and niece Jade Cretser, both UI students.
She said her favorite part about Retro Espresso has been the “amazing” customers.
“Everybody has given me really good input on the business that Dawn started,” she said.
Molly Spencer can be reached at [email protected]
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