Black Coffee Northwest

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Black Coffee Northwest
Restaurant information
EstablishedOctober 18, 2020 (2020-10-18)
Owner(s)Darnesha and Edwin Weary
Street address2300 S Jackson St
CitySeattle
StateWashington
CountryUnited States
Other locationsShoreline (former)
Websiteblackcoffeenw.com

Black Coffee Northwest (sometimes abbreviated Black Coffee NW)[1] is a Black-owned coffee company based in the Seattle metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Washington. The business has operated coffee shops in Shoreline and Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, and is also a whole bean roaster.[2][3] Black Coffee Northwest plans to open a shop in Seattle's Central District in 2024.

Black Coffee Northwest also serves as a community hub,[4] and provides barista training and internships.[5] Eater Seattle has said the business created a space "for art, mutual aid, and activism",[6] and Seattle Metropolitan has said Black Coffee Northwest "blends brews with cultural salon talk".[7]

The menu has included the "Karen", a caffè mocha with white chocolate named after the pejorative term and meme of the same name.[8][9] Before opening their roastery, Black Coffee NW used beans from Boon Boona Coffee, another Black-owned coffee company based in Washington.[10]

The company participated in a "Black Black Friday" campaign organized by Seattle Black-owned businesses in 2023.[11]

History[edit]

Shoreline and North Seattle[edit]

Darnesha and Erwin Weary opened Black Coffee Northwest in Shoreline in October 2020.[12][13] The business operated inside a building leased by Bethany Community Church.[14]

Black Coffee Northwest has been subject to arson, theft, and vandalism.[15][16][17] Ahead of the originally planned grand opening, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the building.[18][19] Two brothers were charged with unlawful possession of a destructive device.[20] The business sought financial support from the community following the incident, and opened weeks later.[21][22] In January 2021, a swastika was drawn on the cafe's exterior.[23][24][25]

In November 2020, the cafe hosted a voter registration drive. The business had extended hours on Election Day and, according to Eater Seattle, offered "$0.45 off orders for customers who say that they've voted 45 out".[26] In 2021, the business hosted an anniversary party and various activities leading up to Halloween.[27][28] The business also hosted "Coffee Chats" and tutors for students.[29]

Black Coffee Northwest had 14 employees, as of November 2021, most of whom were women of color.[30]

The shop closed in June 2023, after the shop's landlord evicted them over more than $22,000 in missed rent. Owners cited the landlord and gentrification as reasons for the closure. They confirmed plans to continue operating and intend to open a shop in the Central District in 2023.[9]

The business opened a second café in Ballard in 2022.[31] As of 2023 the Ballard cafe is no longer in operation.[9] As of January 2024, Black Coffee NW operates on the North Seattle College campus. The on campus café is known as Black Coffee Northwest at the Lily Pad Café.[32]

Central District[edit]

2023 photograph of the building in Seattle's Central District which Black Coffee Northwest plans to occupy, as evidenced by window signage

In 2023, Black Coffee Northwest announced plans to re-open in the Central District, in a building which previously was a Starbucks location.[9][33][34]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Owen, Tess (2020-10-15). "Shoreline's Black Coffee NW is so much more than a cup of coffee". Seattle Refined. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  2. ^ "In Heavy Rotation at Black Coffee NW: Social Impact and Youth Leadership". www.kexp.org. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  3. ^ "Coffee shop supporting Black-owned businesses - CW Seattle". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-02-13. Archived from the original on 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  4. ^ "Black Coffee Northwest opening delayed by arson, but 'heart of the place is alive'". MyNorthwest.com. 2020-10-07. Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  5. ^ Luna, Ruby de (2021-07-14). "This Shoreline coffee shop provides a safe space for Black youth". www.kuow.org. Archived from the original on 2023-02-06. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  6. ^ "11 Essential Seattle Coffee Shops". Eater Seattle. 2016-09-19. Archived from the original on 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  7. ^ "Black Future Co-op Fund Is Changing Washington Philanthropy". Seattle Metropolitan. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  8. ^ "Despite Arson Attempt, Black Coffee Northwest Brings Black-Owned Business and Awareness to Shoreline". South Seattle Emerald. 2020-10-24. Archived from the original on 2022-12-03. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  9. ^ a b c d Cheadle, Harry (2023-06-26). "Black Coffee Northwest Closes, Blaming Its Landlord and 'Gentrification'". Eater Seattle. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  10. ^ "What It's Like Opening A Black-Owned Coffee Shop & Community Space In 2020 - Seattle". The Infatuation. 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  11. ^ Jahaura Michelle (November 13, 2023). "Seattle Is Getting A 'Black Black Friday' To Support Black-Owned Businesses Ahead Of Holiday Season". Yahoo! News. Blavity.
  12. ^ "Black-Owned Businesses in the Seattle Area | 2023". Seattle Metropolitan. Archived from the original on 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  13. ^ "Black Coffee Northwest to open in Ballard – My Ballard". www.myballard.com. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  14. ^ "Black Coffee Northwest is Raising Funds for Opening Following Arson". Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine. 2020-10-02. Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  15. ^ Lee, Jennifer (2021-07-27). "Black-owned coffee shop in Shoreline burglarized days after it was vandalized". Q13 FOX. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  16. ^ "Black-owned coffee shop in Shoreline vandalized again; owners say 'enough is enough'". FOX 13 Seattle. 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  17. ^ Krieg, Hannah. "Slog AM: Seattle Public Schools Facing $190 Million Shortfall, Long Lines at Seattle Children's, and Black Coffee Northwest Sees More Theft". The Stranger. Archived from the original on 2022-12-10. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  18. ^ "Molotov cocktails thrown at soon-to-open Black-owned coffee shop in Shoreline". The Seattle Times. 2020-10-01. Archived from the original on 2023-03-02. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  19. ^ Guarente, Gabe (2020-10-16). "Shoreline's New Black-Owned Cafe and Community Hub Officially Opens Saturday". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  20. ^ "Brothers plead not guilty to charges related to Shoreline coffee shop firebombing". KING5.com. October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  21. ^ "Black Coffee NW Is Seeking Support After Late-Night Arson Incident". Sprudge. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  22. ^ "After arson attempt, Black Coffee embraces community support, plans Oct. 17 grand opening". My Edmonds News. 2020-10-15. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  23. ^ "'It's escalating': Swastikas drawn on Black-owned Shoreline coffee shop previously hit by Molotov cocktails". KIRO 7 News Seattle. 2021-01-16. Archived from the original on 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  24. ^ Guarente, Gabe (2021-01-15). "Shoreline's Black Coffee Northwest Shutters Temporarily Following Racist Graffiti and Other Threats". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  25. ^ "Shoreline's Black Coffee NW Has Been Attacked Again—Here's How You Can Support Them". Sprudge.com. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  26. ^ Guarente, Gabe (2020-11-03). "Seattle Restaurants and Bars Offering Election Day Specials". Eater Seattle. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  27. ^ Streefkerk, Mark Van (2021-10-15). "Star Restaurateur Renee Erickson Is Representing Seattle on the 'Kelly and Ryan Show'". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  28. ^ Streefkerk, Mark Van (2021-10-28). "The Eater Seattle Guide to Halloween 2021". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2021-11-20. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  29. ^ Streefkerk, Mark Van (2020-12-10). "Black Coffee NW Lets the Youth Lead". Barista Magazine Online. Archived from the original on 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  30. ^ "Seattle magazine's Most Influential People of 2021". Seattle Magazine. 2021-11-30. Archived from the original on 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  31. ^ "Black Coffee Northwest softly opens in Ballard – My Ballard". www.myballard.com. Archived from the original on 2023-02-05. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  32. ^ "Food & Beverage". North Seattle College. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  33. ^ "Old Seattle Starbucks location to become Black Coffee Northwest". The Seattle Times. 2023-06-01. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  34. ^ Cheadle, Harry (2023-06-02). "The Old Jackson Street Starbucks Is Being Taken Over by Black Coffee Northwest". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on 2023-06-03. Retrieved 2023-06-26.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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