(Image: The Seattle Grind)
It has been a busy season of new additions and change in the cafe scene around Capitol Hill. The latest will come this weekend along 11th Ave where a coffee shop familiar to Space Needle visitors is expanding to Capitol Hill’s Chophouse Row.
Owner Mehmet and Ezgi Gültekin say they are excited to expand The Seattle Grind from across from the Seattle Center to a center of Capitol Hill commerce and community.
“We’ve had the idea of opening a second location in mind for a long time, but we specifically wanted a space with real character and soul — like Chophouse Row,” Mehmet Gültekin said. “As soon as the opportunity came up, we jumped on it immediately because we knew it was the perfect home for The Seattle Grind.”
The space was originally home to Amadine Bakeshop when Chophouse Row debuted a decade ago
Gültekin tells CHS the new Grind will replace Meetea in Chophouse Row’s 11th Ave-facing cafe space. The changeover is underway. The Seattle Grind’s Capitol Hill debut is planned for a soft opening Saturday followed by 7 AM to 6 PM daily service through the week — 8 AM to 6 PM on Sundays.
The Gültekins are joining a new neighborhood buoyed by a wave of support as word spread of the bravery and care at the Harrison Street cafe as The Seattle Grind kept its doors open and welcomed people in during the first chaotic moments following the Bite of Seattle gun violence in July.
“They were crying, yelling,” Mehmet told the Seattle Times. “I was scared too.”
The change on 11th comes amid a busy season of new cafes and new ownership including new owners at 10th Ave’s Drip Tea.
Around the corner on E Pike, Charlie’s Queer Books is expanding to Capitol Hill with a new shop, event space, wine bar, and cafe.
Meanwhile, fellow Chophouse Row hangout Tailwind Cafe has new ownership in its internal courtyard-facing space in the 11th Ave development.
The Seattle Grind’s coffee approach will bring a straightforward take on the city’s espresso and tea model with “handcrafted signature sauces and specialty beverages.” It prepares its baked goods in-house and has featured additions like Seattle’s White Knuckle Sandwiches. The beans? Vashon Coffee Company.
The Seattle Grind Capitol Hill will open soon at 1424 11th Ave. Follow @theseattlegrind for updates.
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