(Image: Volunteer Park Cafe)
Capitol Hill’s Volunteer Park Cafe is celebrating five years since its re-start and revival under new ownership that brought bundles of new energy to the busy little kitchen.
It remains a positive example of mixing neighborhood businesses directly into the residential streets of the city.
CHS reported here in 2021 as the popular cafe spot reopened following a deal to acquire the business and the 1904-built commercial space below a residential apartment level it calls home. James DeSarno, principal at D3 Architects and co-owner of the Freehand Cellars winery, acquired the property. Two Canlis alumnae took over the kitchen and brought their own spin on VPC favorites while introducing more of their own including the cafe’s famed breakfast sandwiches.
Today, manager Melissa Johnson remains and keeps the cafe bustling.
Pastry chef Crystal Chiu started off on another adventure after reviving Volunteer Park Cafe’s baked goods and cake case. Her social media is now documenting a solo adventure in Turkey amid other global travels.
The five year anniversary of the change marks 19 years of Volunteer Park Cafe history. The cafe debuted in 2007 as a collaboration between Ericka Burke and baker extraordinaire Heather Earnhardt. Before VPC, the building housed the infamously odd Cafe Europa and old timers still refer to it as Groucho’s for the old market that served the Hill back in the days of Leave It to Beaver. Along the way, the cafe overcame issues with neighbors to strike a healthy compromise for doing business next to homes.
2027 will bring an exciting two decade anniversary. Expect Volunteer Park Cafe to be held up as an example as Seattle’s new comprehensive plan update and the accompanying zoning framework are hoped to make it easier to open and operate corner stores and neighborhood businesses by re-legalizing commercial uses directly within residential blocks.
To mark five years at 17th and Galer, the cafe celebrated last weekend with face painting, affogatos, and free birthday cake.
“Five years in, and we’re still amazed by it all. So many familiar faces, so many new ones, regulars who have become friends, babies we’ve watched grow up, and countless little moments in between,” the cafe’s team said about the milestone. “And none of it happens without our incredible staff, past and present, who have poured their hearts into this place. We feel incredibly lucky that you’ve all made VPC a part of your lives.”
Volunteer Park Cafe is located at 1501 17th Ave E. Learn more at volunteerpark.cafe.
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