Douglas DuPless LaBar

Douglas LaBar planned The Mason Jar via email from Italy, where he was studying for a master’s degree in food sustainability and ethics.

When the corner location in downtown Cheney became available in 2012, his mom – and now business partner – emailed information and photos, and they began designing the space and configuring menus.

After eight years of living in Portland and abroad, LaBar returned to his hometown in 2012, opening The Mason Jar two months later.

LaBar, born about 1987, grew up and graduated from high school in Cheney, then promptly moved to Portland, where he worked in coffee shops and restaurants and ran his own catering business on and off for about eight years.

During the “off” time, he traveled: herding goats in Kashmir (“That was random”), working on a coffee plantation in Sumatra, farming in France.

During the “on” time, he picked up “like 75” tattoos – whimsical renditions of insects, birds and nautical images, all done by a friend in Portland – on his chest, arms and legs.

He also received a bachelor degree in international diplomacy and development from Portland State University, thinking, “I’d save the world, or whatever.”

However, while working and wandering overseas, he realized he could make more of an impact at home. He decided to help change Cheney, or at least influence its food scene.

His master’s program in Italy required an internship, and when his mom emailed with the info and images of the open corner space downtown, it seemed like a perfect fit.

LaBar said that about three months after he opened the cafe, a regular customer, who was in the EWU music program suggested that his jazz band would really like to play here. This launched the Thursday evening music events, that includes one evening of open mic.

LaBar has served as the lead, coordinating the annual Mayfest celebration downtown since its inception in 2012. He is active in the business community, serving as the President of the Cheney Merchants (renamed Members in 2022) Association for many years as well as heading the Revitalize Cheney project.

Mary Robinson, Douglas’ mother, is a partner in The Mason Jar, as well as part-time baker, keeping the bakery cupboard filled.