Echelon Coffee co-owner dies

Megan West, co-owner of Echelon Coffee LLC, died April 17, according to a post on social media by her husband, Joe West.

“She was so much to so many,” Joe West wrote on Facebook April 21. In another post, he called Megan West “a connector of people. A cheerleader for everyone around her. Often to her own detriment, it was always everyone else before herself.”

A cause of death was not shared in the post, but a 2023 KY3 report described how family, church and community members rallied behind West as she faced a breast cancer diagnosis at age 34. A celebration of life is planned for 6 p.m. on Monday, April 27 at Convoy of Hope auditorium, 1 Convoy Drive.

The Wests opened Echelon Coffee at 2407 N. Glenstone Ave. in 2021, followed by a location in Republic at 2510 S. State Highway MM that opened in September 2025, according to media accounts.

The Republic Area Chamber of Commerce shared a tribute to West on April 22, nothing the community is deeply saddened by West’s passing.

“Megan, alongside her husband Joe, recently opened Echelon Coffee here in our community,” chamber officials said in their post on Facebook. “In such a short time, she made a lasting impact, creating a place filled with warmth, kindness and connection. It was an honor to celebrate their ribbon cutting and welcome their dream into the Republic business community.

“Let’s surround the West family with encouragement, prayers and tangible support. One meaningful way to do that is by continuing to show up for their dream ... stop by Echelon Coffee, purchase gift cards and help carry forward the vision Megan poured her heart into.”

The chamber post noted that West is survived not only by her husband, but by four children.

West was also a co-owner with her husband of No Coast Coffee LLC, a small-batch roasting company started in 2016, according to past reporting.

Community members took to social media in recent days sharing tributes to West, calling her “an unbelievably incredible woman” and praising her qualities as a mentor and leader, as well as her devotion to her family and her Christian faith.

“Whether at a coffee shop, church event, or bumping into her at random, Megan made every person she talked to feel like they were the most important person in the room,” wrote friend Natasha Burgess on April 21.