Orchards Cars and Coffee Blasts Off

    At 9:00 am on Sunday April 13th 2025, the sun was out, the air was warm at roughly 50ºF, and as I pulled off of SR500 West onto Thurston, I followed several other cars headed to the Vancouver Mall in Vancouver, Washington for Orchards Cars and Coffee-  and there were more cars behind me.  I followed the meandering Vancouver Mall Drive at a respectful 25 miles an hour, and my 11 year old passenger princess perked up- we were arriving, and she couldn’t wait to see if her favorite vehicles happened to be there (while there was no sign of her ultimate dream car, other cars she would like to bankrupt me with were, and she made sure to let me know she would grudgingly accept a McLaren if she couldn’t get her hands on a Lamborghini Huracan.)

    One of my last free Sundays before launching Cars and Coffee in Woodburn, I took the opportunity this weekend to swing by Orchards Cars and Coffee in Vancouver, WA., and I’m glad I did.  The weather was gorgeous, and the lot was beyond packed-  not only did they fill their standard lot, but they flowed over into the lot in front of the new swimming school there as well.  Hundreds of cars on the most beautiful day so far this year.  Kiddo and I spent our time all the way up to 11 am strolling the lot, admiring all the different cars, talking about what made each one special, and speculating where cars would be in a few years, when she would be nearing legal driving age.

    So what has made Orchards Cars and Coffee so successful?  Community, first and foremost.  They don’t just meet for coffee and car talks, they often host events that benefit their community-  stuff like teaming up with B.A.C.A.-  Bikers Against Child Abuse – a charitable worldwide motorcycle organization that works with local and state officials to empower abused children to not be afraid in the world they live in, with a clear outline of steps they take to ensure proper legal action is taken, and even providing protection directly when necessary.  Orchards Cars and Coffee also works with the Southwest Washington Humane society to raise funds for Pet Food and Supplies, with the Vancouver Mall to assist with the Giving Tree during the holiday season, and more.  It’s so much more than a bunch of car enthusiasts hanging out in a parking lot together.  It’s a blending of subsets in car culture as well-  a mix of classic muscle, antique wonders, special interest cars, rare imports, and others, talking about their similarities, differences, and visions.

    Orchards Cars and Coffee is currently hosted every Sunday from 9 am to 11 am at Vancouver Mall SE Parking lot, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Drive, Vancouver, WA 98662.