Chelsea in charge

COEUR d'ALENE - Now that Chelsea Gurno operates her own coffee shop, she's having a blast.

But for one small problem.

"I feel like I have to be here all the time," she said, laughing. "When I'm not here I feel like I should be here."

The 24-year-old, though, is learning to relax when her two employees are in charge of the Roadhouse Coffee Company at the corner of Kathleen and Government Way, outside the Chevron station.

Since the Coeur d'Alene resident took over two months ago, Gurno has made it her own. She and dad Terry Gurno painted the exterior red with white trim, and she reorganized the interior, too.

Roadhouse Coffee offers anarray of specialty coffee drinks, along with baked goods.

Promotions include Double Punch Monday, Teacher Tuesday, Wired Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday and Free Shot Friday.

Gurno loves the fast-paced coffee world, and enjoys chatting with customers.

"I just think it's fun," she said.

The 2006 Coeur d'Alene High School graduate started picking up the trade from the best of baristas when she 18 years old. She worked at Higher Ground Espresso, Shotzy's Espresso, as well at Hot Wired before its name was changed to Roadhouse Coffee.

"I learned a lot from all my bosses," she said. "The more I did it, the more I realized this is what I wanted to do."

After a year of searching for the right stand, she found what she was after in Roadhouse Coffee, which she purchased from Renee Lovell.

She has been pleased with the transaction. She credits her employees with making her job easy.

"I always thought I would be my own boss," she said.

Gurno said long-term goals include owning a sit-down coffee shop in the area.

Roadhouse Coffee Company is at 3840 N. Government Way. Hours are Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.