Shoreline’s New Black-Owned Cafe and Community Hub Officially Opens Saturday

Black Coffee Northwest recently recovered from a recent arson attack, but has big plans ahead

DarNesha Weary is a little tired, but determined. The racial equity consultant and co-owner of Shoreline’s new cafe, Black Coffee Northwest (NW), has been through a lot over the past several weeks, after an arsonist threw molotov cocktails at the shop in the early morning hours of September 30. Weary suspects the incident was a racially-motivated attack (the investigation has been turned over to the FBI, she says), but luckily the damage to the building was minimal. The cafe managed to open for drive-thru service last Saturday, and is planning to hold its grand opening tomorrow, October 17.

“We’re still getting some threats, people questioning why we’re calling ourselves Black Coffee, accusing us of racism,” Weary tells Eater Seattle. “I’m just like, ‘Then just don’t come.’ We still have a large community that supports us.”

To that point, Black Coffee NW will open with ambitions to be not just a spot to grab a great cup of coffee, but also an uplifting community center as well, with social justice work at the forefront. When it opens Saturday, there will be a voter registration drive for adults, as well as a “mock” registration drive for kids, with fun stickers, a DJ, and free masks. The effort will continue up until Washington’s online voter registration deadline October 26.

Those perusing the menu this weekend will find Ethiopian, Burundi, and Kenyan roasts from the Black-owned Renton company Boona Boona, and beverages with playful names, such as the Supa’ Fly Chai and the Karen (a white chocolate mocha). On the food side, there will be treats from Zuri’s Donutz in Lynnwood, pastries from farm-to-table bakery Salmonberry, and a sweet potato pie made by Weary’s mom. All available for takeout only to start.