BARISTA IN TRAINING

Emma Decker is only 6 years old, but she already knows what she wants to be when she grows up. Emma, the granddaughter of Dean and Bonnie Haun of Thompson Falls, wants to open her own coffee shop and bakery, which she plans to call Wake Up With Emma.

While visiting her grandparents recently, Emma spent some time at Beagle's Bakery and Espresso learning tricks of the trade.

The staff at Beagle's, owned by Heather Chavez and Steve Bruner, was happy to Emma as their apprentice. Steve and Sara Williamson, a barista at Beagle's, showed Emma how to make espresso and cocoa. Emma told Williamson that "she thinks coffee is disgusting," but she was still eager to learn the coffee side of the business. She learned how to measure the flavoring, steam milk, and brew espresso.

Emma told her grandma that she is convinced she will sell more cocoa and cookies than coffee and bagels.

"She was great," Chavez said. "She absolutely has a future."

Emma who lives in Missoula, has been creating menus and recipes, and talks about her business plan on each visit to her grandparents.