There’s a new burst of Central District energy in the center of Seattle’s political power. Yes, neighborhood-born and raised Joy Hollingsworth is about to take her seat on the Seattle City Council. But there is another new neighborhood powerhouse moving in.

Mayor Bruce Harrell, a Central District-raised leader himself, is welcoming the new location of E Cherry-born Central Cafe now open in the Seattle Municipal Tower.

“It’s great to once again see this corner of the building open and energized with City employees, good drinks, and a great local business,” Harrell said.

The tower has been home to a Starbucks.

The Central Cafe was started by owner Bridget Johnson in the Central District in 2020 and managed to survive the pandemic with its menu of good eats and delicious smoothies. “It’s more than one day, is this going to be your coffee shop? Are you going to be posting on Instagram when you like something from a local shop? What are you going to be doing to help small businesses?,” Johnson told CHS about Central Cafe and supporting local businesses in 2020. “It’s not just minority business — it’s all business.”

The original Central Cafe remains open at 2509 E Cherry. You can now join in with a few thousand of your favorite city employees in the Muni Tower at 700 5th Ave. Learn more at centralcafeseattle.com.

Last week I visited Central Café and Juice Bar’s new location at the Seattle Municipal Tower Downtown. It's great to once again see this corner of the building open and energized with City employees, good drinks, and a great local business. pic.twitter.com/gIQezWrsjS

— Mayor Bruce Harrell (@MayorofSeattle) December 12, 2023

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