Seattle's Original Coffee House Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary – CoffeeTalk

Café Allegro, Seattle’s original coffeehouse, celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday. Located in an alley, the hidden café had a speakeasy feel and was hardly visible when it first opened in 1975. Co-owner Chris Peterson said people had to almost be introduced to it, as it had a feel like being part of a club. The menu at the time only listed half a dozen drink items, with the exception of espresso, served in eight-ounce cups.

Café Allegro was Seattle’s first coffeehouse and set the foundation for the city’s now storied coffee scene. Peterson was a student at the University of Washington when he was hired to manage the shop. Founder Dave Olsen bought coffee from Starbucks, a roaster and wholesaler at the time. Olsen would eventually join Starbucks. In 1990, Peterson bought the café.

The business has evolved to keep up with the times, now having a sign by the entrance and even a social media presence. It has also weathered economic shocks, such as new tariffs. The current tariffs are paying a minimum of 10% more for coffee from any origin, and some origins are higher. Peterson said it is hard to know whether this will change people’s coffee habits or if they may seek cheaper alternatives.

One thing that has stayed constant is the community the café has built over the years. Peterson had a real passion for the place and the community, feeling like it was an important touchstone for people.

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