“I found a place where the life we wanted to create, the work we love to do, and the opportunity to contribute to a community we now call home all came together.”
For Kas Logan, the journey to the Cedar Valley began thousands of miles away in Port Shepstone, a small coastal town in South Africa. Many of her early memories began around a table, with good food at the center and family gathered close. Her heart for those moments has shaped her story ever since.
After high school, Kas moved to the United States to pursue her culinary education at Western Culinary Institute, Le Cordon Bleu in Oregon. She would spend the next 20 years building a career rooted in hospitality and culinary arts, living and working in the Pacific Northwest.
Eventually, Kas and her husband, Brandon, began looking for something different.
As they began their search, they wanted a new chapter and a community where they could create more balance and connection in their everyday lives. They explored several communities throughout the Midwest before discovering Waterloo.
Then they found a beautiful historic home.
“The character of the home, the value it offered, and the opportunity to become part of a smaller community where relationships could grow naturally made us feel that we had found the right place to begin this next chapter,” Kas said.
They didn’t have much context for the community coming in, but something about Waterloo quickly made it easy to imagine building a life here.
“We did not have a specific expectation beyond finding a place where we could feel connected and build a meaningful life, but when we visited, there was an immediate sense of warmth and familiarity that was difficult to explain,” she said. “It felt like a place where we could truly see ourselves putting down roots.”
What they discovered after moving in was a sense of neighborhood connection they hadn’t expected. In Waterloo’s historic Highland neighborhood, neighbors introduced themselves, made an effort to build relationships, and demonstrated genuine care for Kas and her family.
That was a significant change from the faster-paced, more private lifestyle they had experienced in the Pacific Northwest.
“Our neighbors in the historic Highland neighborhood were incredibly welcoming, friendly, and approachable,” Kas said. “That feeling of belonging was something we did not expect, and it quickly helped Waterloo feel less like a new place and more like home.”
For Kas, becoming part of the Cedar Valley happened gradually. It began with getting to know her neighbors, but continued through the people she met and relationships she built.
Opening Panache Tea Boutique became another important part of that journey. The afternoon tea destination gave Kas a place to share the hospitality that has shaped her career while creating an environment where people could gather and make their own memories.
“A large part of my connection to the Cedar Valley has come through Panache and the relationships we have built since opening our doors. Our guests have shared their celebrations, stories, and experiences with us, and it has been incredibly rewarding to create a place where people feel welcomed and connected.”
Panache also connected Kas and Brandon more deeply to downtown Waterloo. Through local partnerships, community organizations, and relationships with other businesses, they found opportunities to contribute to the community that had welcomed them.
“We have also become connected through the downtown Waterloo community, local partnerships, and organizations and community partners who are working to strengthen the area. From working with community groups to collaborating with local businesses, we have been grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the place we now call home.”
The business itself became possible through those connections. Through relationships and referrals, they found the downtown Waterloo space where Panache began, allowing them to start small and grow thoughtfully.
“I do not believe Panache would have existed in the same way anywhere else,” Kas said. “Afternoon tea was a new experience for many people in this area, and this community gave us the opportunity to share it in a way that felt authentic to us.”
Those who were already familiar with afternoon tea supported the business, brought friends through the doors, and helped introduce the experience to others throughout the Cedar Valley.
Outside of Panache, Kas and Brandon have embraced the slower pace they were originally seeking. Their home has become a place to spend meaningful time together as a family, including with their two teenage sons. They also enjoy exploring nearby towns, taking short road trips through Iowa and surrounding states, and finding new local treasures to enjoy. Hosting dinners for friends and family has become another way they make the most of that time together.
Brandon enjoys staying active through pickleball and volleyball, and the change in lifestyle has given the family more freedom to be intentional about how they spend their time.
That change in pace has influenced more than just their personal lives. It has changed the way Kas thinks about work and life.
“Living in the Cedar Valley has given me the opportunity to appreciate the journey rather than always focusing on the next destination or milestone. Earlier in my career, there was often a strong separation between work and life, with the challenge of balancing the two. Today, those lines feel more naturally connected in a way that is fulfilling because what we have built reflects who we are and what we value in life.”
For Kas, Panache is a reflection of that shift.
“It has been a privilege to create a place where others can slow down, celebrate, and connect, and the community has played such an important role in that journey.”
Today, Kas sees that same sense of possibility throughout downtown Waterloo. Historic spaces are being restored, small businesses are finding opportunities to grow, and people throughout the community are investing in what comes next.
“Being part of Downtown Waterloo’s revitalization has been especially meaningful, as we have seen the effort going into restoring historic spaces, supporting small businesses, and creating opportunities for people to contribute and grow.”
For Kas and Brandon, that community-driven growth is part of what makes the Cedar Valley feel like the right place to stay.
“What stands out to us is that this growth feels community-driven, with people working together to build on what already exists while welcoming others to become part of the story.”
Choosing Cedar Valley as the place to live out their next chapter gave Kas and Brandon the chance to find better balance between work and home, while Panache gave them a way to share their passion for hospitality with the community around them.
“I live the Valley because I found a place where the life we wanted to create, the work we love to do, and the opportunity to contribute to a community we now call home all came together.”
