by Cienna Richardson
Orcas High School student
This summer, Orcas Island teens have a brand-new space to call their own.
The Peach Pit is a place for sixth graders through those aged 20 to gather, eat and play every Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m. Co-founders Maia Vechey and Meagan Gable were inspired to create a spot that was teen-oriented and provided a safe hangout for young adults to be with friends, study and access resources tailored to their needs.
It is staffed almost entirely by teens who have been trained and supported to shape the culture and inner workings of the Peach Pit, which The Funhouse Commons fiscally sponsors.
“Our Youth Staffing Program gives teens real responsibility,” Gable said. “They’re not just helping out — they’re running the show. From interior design to leadership development, the skills they gain here are real and lasting.”
The young adults themselves feel like the Peach Pit provides the resources they need to learn real-world skills that can be applied to their future aspirations. The staff have the opportunity to choose their job based on interests like event planning, management, inventory and more.
“I think it’s such a big step in the right direction for youth empowerment on Orcas. It’s exactly what we’ve been missing here, and Megan, Maia, and Kyle inspire me every day I come into work and know how to make any environment safe and enjoyable,” said teen staff member Zane Howard.
The center is named after the diner on the television show “Beverly Hills, 90210,” which was a primary hangout spot for the characters. It is located above Con’s Pit Stop, where Portofino’s Pizza operated for many years.
To celebrate the opening of the Peach Pit, all are invited to a free community event on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 5-7 p.m. Explore the offerings, meet the youth staff and learn more about upcoming programming and opportunities.
How it started
The journey began in January 2024 when Vechey and Gable visited the building on A Street in Eastsound.
“The Peach Pit began with Maia’s dream to create a space just for teens, a place where they could be social, be themselves, and feel connected. If you know Maia, you know she’s that rare adult who’s both safe and fun, always surrounded by a group of kids. She saw a shared spark in me and we started talking. I loved her idea, but wanted to add youth-specific resources to the drop-in style space,” Gable explained. “When we walked into the 274 building, we knew it was the perfect fit for both our visions. From that moment, there was no turning back.”
Vechey and her husband, John, finalized the purchase of the building and discovered that the management and ownership of Con’s Pit Stop were a perk of the purchase. They came up with the idea of using its profits to build a sustainable model for the Peach Pit.
In May, Gable pitched the idea of the Peach Pit to The Funhouse Commons board of directors. The board unanimously approved to take it on in a comprehensive fiscal sponsorship model. In August, Gable and Vechey hosted a logo design competition with a $100 prize, which Orcas Middle School student Vida Zangrillo won. A new competition will be held every year for a logo, with Olive McKenzie being the winner of this year’s contest.
As the vision of the Peach Pit developed, the two decided to create a list of local “experts” to advise them on crafting a mission, vision and values, building a budget and developing a five-year plan. Construction started in November, and the Peach Pit hired Kyle Graham to oversee programming and brought on a team of 11 youth leaders.
“They jumped in with so much heart, quickly collecting all the furniture we needed before we even had a place to put it. Their speed and enthusiasm showed us their instant ownership over the space, which naturally aligned with our vision,” Vechey said.
The Peach Pit opened a few weeks ago, and island kids have been enjoying Ping-Pong, pool, loads of free snacks, a homework corner and accessing support resources. The Peach Pit is committed to being a safe, free and inclusive space. It will remain open throughout the summer and expand its hours to include after-school programming until 6:30 p.m., starting Sept. 4.
“Our story began long before the doors opened. It looked like lots of conversations, group listening sessions, and visits to teen centers near and far,” Vechey said. “We quietly brewed the idea, learning from those who had walked this path before us. But everything really came to life when we brought on our youth staff team. We’re constantly blown away by their ability to see the bigger vision, and not just create a space for their friend group. From the programs and events to the vibe of the space itself, this is theirs. We’re just here to cheer them on and help them learn.”
“The Peach Pit just opened, everyone is so excited to see what it’s like and what it will become! There was no space for teenagers to come and hang out, have their own space, and be away from their car, house, or school. This place will make sure everyone has a community to come to and just be themselves. It has been so fun working there and being a part of the Peach Pit staff. I have [zero] complaints and am so grateful I got to start this center for teens!” said youth staff member Sofia Mahony-Jauregui.
Peach Pit programs and resources
• Day Program: Personalized support for navigating life transitions and challenges — job hunting, college applications, mental health support, connections to resources and more.
• Private Meeting Space: To talk, be heard and access mental health resources.
• Resource Closet: Discreet access to essentials, thanks to partnerships with Orcas Community Resource Center and Island Reproductive Health Initiative.
• Opportunity Board: Connecting local employers with motivated young people seeking work or volunteer opportunities.
• Youth-led events and programming: From game nights to workshops, teens design and lead all programming, ensuring it reflects their interests and priorities.
“It’s been so fun watching youth show up and truly use the Peach Pit. Even though we’ve only just opened, we’ve already welcomed over 100 young people through our doors,” Vechey said. “Some come to relax, some to play pool or ping pong, some are working on big goals at the Day Program with Ms. Meagan, like earning their GED or applying for housing or jobs, others stop by for free personal care items or to use the private meeting room. Seeing the space come to life exactly the way we hoped is honestly the most affirming feeling.”
