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If my interview with Roy Street Coffee and Tea manager Jacob Webber taught me anything, it’s that despite being a much better coffee shop than your typical Starbucks, Roy Street Coffee and Tea is still a Starbucks.
Jacob describes the store as his “pipe dream,” and seemed really excited about all the new features they’re trying out in the store, like their new Synesso espresso machine, and a pull down movie screen to host film showings for local filmmakers. He said a lot of positive things and really seemed committed to making the concept work.
On the other hand, Jacob said he didn’t know much about Capitol Hill, he didn’t have much to say about the well established coffee scene on the Hill, beyond “they make great coffee”, and he didn’t offer direct responses to any of the criticism they’ve been getting from many in the community -- namely that it's disingenuous to not display the Starbucks name, and the clipboard observers that were spotted in neighboring business.
This seeming lack of connection to the neighborhood isn't a deal breaker for me. As I'm sure people will point out in the comments, it’s just coffee after all. But the vague and corporate sounding responses served as a reminder that despite the hype, and the much-improved ambiance, coffee and food, this is really just another Starbucks… nothing to get too excited about, but also nothing really worth protesting. It is a new piece of Capitol Hill, though, so check out the interview and hear for yourself what Jacob had to say about Roy St Coffee.
Jacob introduces the new store, and explains why they chose to locate on Capitol Hill
I asked Jacob what was missing in Capitol Hill coffee scene that Roy St C&T can deliver. And he shares his impressions of the neighborhood.
Jacob responds to criticism that they are being disingenuous by not using the Starbucks name.
Jacob responds (kind of) to criticism of Starbucks "observers" that were spotted at nearby local businesses, taking notes before the opening of the 15th Ave Store
Went to Volunteer Park a little before sunset on Saturday night.
I was just telling someone last week that even though I've read here on the blog that jet noise is a problem for some people on the hill, I've never really noticed it. Well I definitely noticed it today and it really is pretty loud, as you can hear in the video.
This is the sixth of my weekly series of ambient shots around Capitol Hill. Every week I'll pick a different spot and stay for about 10 minutes to create a 'snapshot' of that location at that moment.
RECENT SNAPSHOTS
#4 - Olive between John and Summit
I told jseattle I was going to do this week's Snapshot at Volunteer Park, but I walked past this corner one morning and had to grab my camera and go back. Between the view of the space needle, the beautiful houses, and all the fall colors, it was a perfect fall Capitol Hill scene.
The exact cross streets for this one are actually Bellevue Pl E & Belmont Pl E. Here's the street view of the location.
This is the fifth of a weekly series of ambient shots around Capitol Hill. Every week I'll pick a different spot and stay for about 10 minutes to create a 'snapshot' of that location at that moment.
PAST EPISODES
It used to be that I'd read every word of every post on this blog, but lately I've been skipping a lot of posts because I've either already read it somewhere else or it just doesn't seem relevant to me.
... just my two cents...
Regardless of the outcome of the still undecided Mayors race, one of the biggest stories coming out of this election cycle is the grassroots, all volunteer campaign run by Mike McGinn. McGinn was outspent and out staffed by the Mallahan campaign and rarely led in the polls, but won the primary and is currently in the lead after the first three batches of votes have been counted. I went to the McGinn Campaign Headquarters yesterday to talk to the volunteers to find out what it was like working on the groundbreaking campaign.
I sat down and talked with Michael Wells this morning about the closure of his bookstore, the future of the publishing industry, and the changes he's seen in Capitol Hill in his 20 years with Bailey Coy.
Connection to Capitol Hill
Michael explains why Bailey Coy couldn't have existed in any other neighborhood, and how being on Capitol Hill affected Bailey Coy.
Changes in the publishing industry
Michael discusses the changes in the publishing and bookselling industries, which he says started about 10 years ago with the arrival of big box bookstores, and amazon.com.
Why Bailey Coy is closing
Michael explains why Bailey Boy couldn't hold on any longer, and responds to a CHS commenter that said he was stuck in the 80's, agreeing that he should have done more to move into the online space.
Changes in the neighborhood
Michael discusses the changing retail climate of Broadway and Pike/Pine, impact of the redevelopment currently underway in North Broadway, and the growing sense of community in Capitol Hill.
History of Bailey Coy
Michael tells the story of how Bailey Coy came to find it's home on Broadway, and how he ended up acquiring the store in 2003, after working there for 14 years.
Courtney Love
"Michael, there's a 6 foot tall drag queen out here and I think she's stealing books"
Elliot Bay Book Company
Michael explains why he hopes the rumors of Elliot Bay moving to Capitol Hill are true.
Pilot Books
Michaels thoughts on micro-independent bookstore Pilot Books, which recently opened near Bailey Coy, and where it fits into the future of bookselling.
Wake
Michael talks about his plans to hold a wake, to mark the end of Bailey Coy.
Previous
I just set up an on camera interview with Bailey Coy owner Michael Wells for tomorrow morning (Wed, Nov 4). What do you want me to ask him?
Went to Olive on Friday night this time, just after interviewing the artist at the Sound Transit installation.
This is the fourth of a weekly series of ambient shots around Capitol Hill. Every week I'll pick a different spot and stay for about 10 minutes to create a 'snapshot' of that location at that moment.
PAST EPISODES
Episode #1 - Cal Anderson Park
As Justin reported, the art at the Sound Transit site was up and running tonight for a "dress rehearsal" for Saturday night's opening. I went down and interviewed Dan Corson and got some footage of the installation.
In the video Dan describes the current installation as an "improvisation" to get something up for the planned Halloween opening. Dan also talks about his personal connection with Capitol Hill, and the ST light rail site in particular.
It looks pretty cool already so I'm looking forward to seeing it in it's final form.
I went down to the Sound Transit site this afternoon to check on the Art Installation that was scheduled for today, but found nothing but an empty lot. I spoke with the artist, Dan Corson, who said the installation has been postponed because the rods didn't show up as expected, and he doesn't think they'll come until Wednesday.
Sound Transit art program manager Barbara Luecke says that while it's been a chaotic last couple of days trying to get this project organized, she's confident it'll be finished in time for it's planned formal opening on Halloween. And they still need volunteers, so she's encouraging anyone who's interested to email her at barbara.luecke@soundtransit.org, with their availability.
For more info on the project, including a video of a similar project, check out Justin's original report.
