Black Coffee Northwest Explained

Black Coffee Northwest
Current-Owner:Darnesha and Edwin Weary
Street-Address:2300 S Jackson St
City:Seattle
State:Washington
Zip:-->
Country:United States
Other-Locations:Shoreline (former)
Other-Label:-->

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] Before opening their roastery, Black Coffee NW used beans from Boon Boona Coffee, another Black-owned coffee company based in Washington.[9]

The company participated in a "Black Black Friday" campaign organized by Seattle Black-owned businesses in 2023.[10]

History

Shoreline and North Seattle

Darnesha and Erwin Weary opened Black Coffee Northwest in Shoreline in October 2020.[11] [12] The business operated inside a building leased by Bethany Community Church.[13]

Black Coffee Northwest has been subject to arson, theft, and vandalism.[14] [15] [16] Ahead of the originally planned grand opening, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the building.[17] [18] Two brothers were charged with unlawful possession of a destructive device.[19] The business sought financial support from the community following the incident, and opened weeks later.[20] [21] In January 2021, a swastika was drawn on the cafe's exterior.[22] [23] [24]

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".[25] In 2021, the business hosted an anniversary party and various activities leading up to Halloween.[26] [27] The business also hosted "Coffee Chats" and tutors for students.[28]

Black Coffee Northwest had 14 employees, as of November 2021, most of whom were women of color.[29]

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.

The business opened a second café in Ballard in 2022.[30] As of 2023 the Ballard cafe is no longer in operation. 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.[31]

Central District

In 2023, Black Coffee Northwest announced plans to re-open in the Central District, in a building which previously was a Starbucks location.[32] [33] [34]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Owen . Tess . 2020-10-15 . Shoreline's Black Coffee NW is so much more than a cup of coffee . 2023-06-26 . Seattle Refined . en . 2021-11-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211102192234/https://seattlerefined.com/eat-drink/shorelines-black-coffee-northwest-is-much-more-than-a-cup-of-coffee . live .
  2. Web site: Ho . Tia . 2023-02-27 . In Heavy Rotation at Black Coffee NW: Social Impact and Youth Leadership . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230402021125/https://kexp.org/read/2023/2/27/in-heavy-rotation-at-black-coffee-nw-social-impact-and-youth-leadership/ . 2023-04-02 . 2023-06-26 . KEXP.
  3. Web site: Moeller . Kayla . 2023-02-13 . Coffee shop supporting Black-owned businesses - CW Seattle . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20230214141821/https://www.cbsnews.com/seattle/news/coffee-shop-supporting-black-owned-businesses/ . 2023-02-14 . 2023-06-26 . CW11 - KSTW . en-US.
  4. Web site: Scott . Gee . Reutin . Ursula . 2020-10-07 . Black Coffee Northwest opening delayed by arson, but 'heart of the place is alive' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210512071750/https://mynorthwest.com/2214154/black-coffee-northwest-community/ . 2021-05-12 . 2023-06-27 . MyNorthwest.com . en.
  5. Web site: Luna . Ruby de . 2021-07-14 . This Shoreline coffee shop provides a safe space for Black youth . 2023-06-27 . www.kuow.org . en . 2023-02-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230206124234/https://www.kuow.org/stories/this-shoreline-coffee-shop-provides-a-safe-space-for-black-youth . live .
  6. Web site: Van Streefkerk . Mark . Cheadle . Harry . 2016-09-19 . 11 Essential Seattle Coffee Shops . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230622053146/https://seattle.eater.com/maps/seattles-best-coffee-shops . 2023-06-22 . 2023-06-27 . Eater Seattle . en.
  7. Web site: Cassidy . Benjamin . 2022-10-11 . Black Future Co-op Fund Is Changing Washington Philanthropy . 2023-06-27 . . en-US.
  8. Web site: Peters . Alexa . 2020-10-24 . Despite Arson Attempt, Black Coffee Northwest Brings Black-Owned Business and Awareness to Shoreline . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221203023912/https://southseattleemerald.com/2020/10/24/despite-arson-attempt-black-coffee-northwest-brings-black-owned-business-and-awareness-to-shoreline/ . 2022-12-03 . 2023-06-27 . . en-US.
  9. Web site: Rizzo . Aimee . 2020-10-16 . What It's Like Opening A Black-Owned Coffee Shop & Community Space In 2020 . 2023-06-27 . The Infatuation . en.
  10. News: Michelle . Jahaura . 2023-11-13 . Seattle Is Getting A 'Black Black Friday' To Support Black-Owned Businesses Ahead Of Holiday Season . Yahoo! News . Blavity.
  11. Web site: Sayler . Zoe . 2023-02-07 . Black-Owned Businesses in the Seattle Area 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230215052137/https://www.seattlemet.com/style-and-shopping/seattle-area-black-owned-businesses-furniture-shops-clothing-boutiques-skincare . 2023-02-15 . 2023-06-26 . . en-US.
  12. Web site: Walker . Meghan . 2021-10-07 . Black Coffee Northwest to open in Ballard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221126095204/https://www.myballard.com/2021/10/07/black-coffee-northwest-to-open-in-ballard/ . 2022-11-26 . 2023-06-27 . My Ballard.
  13. Web site: Brown . Nick . 2020-10-02 . Black Coffee Northwest is Raising Funds for Opening Following Arson . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230207215145/https://dailycoffeenews.com/2020/10/02/black-coffee-northwest-is-raising-funds-for-opening-following-arson/ . 2023-02-07 . 2023-06-26 . Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine . en.
  14. Web site: Lee . Jennifer . 2021-07-27 . Black-owned coffee shop in Shoreline burglarized days after it was vandalized . 2023-06-26 . Q13 FOX . en-US.
  15. Web site: 2022-09-28 . Black-owned coffee shop in Shoreline vandalized again; owners say 'enough is enough' . 2023-06-26 . FOX 13 Seattle . en-US.
  16. Web site: Krieg . Hannah . 2022-09-29 . Slog AM: Seattle Public Schools Facing $190 Million Shortfall, Long Lines at Seattle Children's, and Black Coffee Northwest Sees More Theft . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221210031740/https://www.thestranger.com/slog-am/2022/09/29/78545989/slog-am-seattle-public-schools-faces-190-million-shortfall-long-lines-at-seattle-childrens-and-black-coffee-northwest-sees-more-theft . 2022-12-10 . 2023-06-27 . The Stranger . en.
  17. Web site: 2020-10-01 . Molotov cocktails thrown at soon-to-open Black-owned coffee shop in Shoreline . 2023-06-27 . The Seattle Times . en-US . 2023-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302172220/https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/molotov-cocktails-thrown-at-soon-to-open-black-owned-coffee-shop-in-shoreline/ . live .
  18. Web site: Guarente . Gabe . 2020-10-16 . Shoreline's New Black-Owned Cafe and Community Hub Officially Opens Saturday . 2023-06-27 . Eater Seattle . en . 2023-06-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230626201310/https://seattle.eater.com/2020/10/16/21519778/shoreline-new-cafe-black-coffee-northwest-opening-voter-drive . live .
  19. News: 2021-10-29 . Brothers plead not guilty to charges related to Shoreline coffee shop firebombing . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211101193556/https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/brothers-charged-firebombing-black-coffee-northwest/281-b75fe6ce-03b7-4a25-a61b-54356c5dc18c . November 1, 2021 . June 27, 2023 . KING5.com.
  20. Web site: Cadwalader . Zac . 2023-06-14 . Black Coffee NW Is Seeking Support After Late-Night Arson Incident . 2023-06-26 . Sprudge . en-US.
  21. Web site: Wippel . Teresa . 2020-10-15 . After arson attempt, Black Coffee embraces community support, plans Oct. 17 grand opening . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930025625/https://myedmondsnews.com/2020/10/after-arson-attempt-black-coffee-embraces-community-support-plans-oct-17-grand-opening/ . 2022-09-30 . 2023-06-27 . My Edmonds News . en-US.
  22. Web site: Spears . Michael . 2021-01-16 . 'It's escalating': Swastikas drawn on Black-owned Shoreline coffee shop previously hit by Molotov cocktails . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527052840/https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/its-escalating-swastikas-drawn-black-owned-shoreline-coffee-shop-previously-hit-by-molotov-cocktails/C3ANJ5UKEBBTTONPBTUXR2WTNM/ . 2022-05-27 . 2023-06-27 . KIRO 7 News Seattle . en.
  23. Web site: Guarente . Gabe . 2021-01-15 . Shoreline's Black Coffee Northwest Shutters Temporarily Following Racist Graffiti and Other Threats . 2023-06-27 . Eater Seattle . en . 2023-03-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326160033/https://seattle.eater.com/2021/1/15/22233373/black-coffee-northwest-seattle-shoreline-closed-temporary-racist-threats . live .
  24. Web site: Cadwalader . Zac . 2023-06-14 . Shoreline's Black Coffee NW Has Been Attacked Again—Here's How You Can Support Them . 2023-06-27 . Sprudge.com . en-US.
  25. Web site: Guarente . Gabe . 2020-11-03 . Seattle Restaurants and Bars Offering Election Day Specials . 2023-06-27 . Eater Seattle . en.
  26. Web site: Streefkerk . Mark Van . 2021-10-15 . Star Restaurateur Renee Erickson Is Representing Seattle on the 'Kelly and Ryan Show' . 2023-06-27 . Eater Seattle . en . 2023-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208131158/https://seattle.eater.com/2021/10/15/22728238/star-restaurateur-renee-erickson-is-representing-seattle-on-the-kelly-and-ryan-show . live .
  27. Web site: Streefkerk . Mark Van . 2021-10-28 . The Eater Seattle Guide to Halloween 2021 . 2023-06-27 . Eater Seattle . en . 2021-11-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120163108/https://seattle.eater.com/2021/10/28/22749456/the-eater-seattle-guide-to-halloween-2021 . live .
  28. Web site: Streefkerk . Mark Van . 2020-12-10 . Black Coffee NW Lets the Youth Lead . 2023-06-27 . Barista Magazine Online . en-US . 2020-12-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201211172200/https://www.baristamagazine.com/black-coffee-nw-lets-the-youth-lead/ . live .
  29. Web site: 2021-11-30 . Seattle magazine's Most Influential People of 2021 . 2023-06-27 . Seattle Magazine . en-US . 2023-04-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230402014934/https://seattlemag.com/most-influential-people/seattle-magazines-most-influential-people-2021/ . live .
  30. Web site: Simoes . Victor . 2022-02-09 . Black Coffee Northwest softly opens in Ballard . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205102354/https://www.myballard.com/2022/02/09/black-coffee-northwest-softly-opens-in-ballard/ . 2023-02-05 . 2023-06-26 . My Ballard.
  31. Web site: Food & Beverage . North Seattle College . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119080026/https://northseattle.edu/campus-life/food-and-beverage . January 19, 2024.
  32. Web site: Cheadle . Harry . 2023-06-26 . Black Coffee Northwest Closes, Blaming Its Landlord and 'Gentrification' . 2023-06-26 . Eater Seattle . en.
  33. Web site: Geraldo . Renata . 2023-06-01 . Old Seattle Starbucks location to become Black Coffee Northwest . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609172501/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/old-seattle-starbucks-location-to-become-black-coffee-northwest/ . 2023-06-09 . 2023-06-26 . The Seattle Times . en-US.
  34. Web site: Cheadle . Harry . 2023-06-02 . The Old Jackson Street Starbucks Is Being Taken Over by Black Coffee Northwest . 2023-06-26 . Eater Seattle . en . 2023-06-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603221611/https://seattle.eater.com/2023/6/2/23747012/jackson-street-23rd-starbucks-black-coffee-northwest-new-location . live .