Broken Compass Café opens new Manson location

MANSON — Broken Compass Café has opened its new location in the heart of Manson, offering handcrafted espresso drinks and a menu of breakfast and lunch options that have quickly attracted both locals and visitors.

On Nov. 28, the Manson Chamber of Commerce formally welcomed the café with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Executive Director Timi Starkweather and members of the Chamber board joined owner Marcia Tucker and her team to celebrate the opening and recognize the café’s early connection with the community.

Owner Marcia Tucker leads the family-run business with support from her daughter, Willow Sinclaire, along with team members Ashe Brown and Jewel Selvidge.

Tucker brings decades of experience in health care and a long personal journey that spans California, Eastern Tennessee and more than 20 years in Southeast Alaska. She spent 26 years as an acute kidney failure nurse, including 15 years as a traveling nurse. She moved to Manson in 2022 and opened the first iteration of Broken Compass Café inside the Riverwalk Inn. When the hotel was sold in September, Tucker began searching for a new home for the café.

“Our time at Riverwalk was very successful, and we knew we had to continue,” she said. After exploring several locations, she said the moment they stepped into the former North Shore Café space, “we knew we were home.”

The café’s name reflects Tucker’s sense of adventure and resilience. She said it was inspired by her favorite quote: “Cheers to the spirit of the unknown and to following a broken compass. For all who wander are not lost.”

Broken Compass Café is open Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tucker plans to expand hours and add dinner service beginning in February. The café also offers takeout at 907-738-7519 and provides catering for special events.

Norm Manly contributed to this report.