Monorail Espresso

Coffeehouse in Seattle

Coffee in a branded paper cup, 2022

Monorail Espresso is a coffeehouse in Seattle. It is notable as having been founded as the first espresso cart in the world. An espresso cart is a food cart from which a barista can make espresso. The business now operates as a walkup window with multiple locations.

## Opening and early years

[edit]

The original Monorail Espresso

On December 1, 1980, Seattle proprietor Chuck Beek set up an espresso cart at Westlake Mall under the Seattle Center Monorail as an experiment to see whether there was a market for espresso sold on the street rather than in a traditional coffeehouse.[1] The permit for the location at the time was $10.[2]

The coffee cart found success in serving Ristretto styled coffee to the early commuters of Seattle mornings. One of the most highly requested orders in the early 90's were "skinny lattes" which consisted of two espresso shots combined with non-fat milk. The cart's close proximity to local corporations like Nordstrom and I. Magnin at the time made it appropriate place to take coffee breaks for busy workers who lacked time. The espresso combined with convenient location contributed to the popularity of the cart.[3]

Monorail Espresso was eventually pushed out of its original Westlake location.[4] Due to the local construction of the growing downtown Seattle along with the raising costs for permits, owner Beek had to move the cart several times. As espresso carts became more common in the area, Beek had found it to be increasingly difficult to find a prime location for Monorail Espresso.[5]

The business model of an espresso cart proved successful but the business decided to convert to a walkup window in 1997.[1]

## Present

[edit]

The coffeehouse is located at 510 Pike Street in Seattle and today is owned and operated by former Monorail barista, Aimee Peck. Peck initially became a barista for Monorail Espresso in 2008. In 2012, Peck, a manager at the time bought Monorail Espresso from previous owner Chuck Beek.[6]

In 2015, Monorail opened a second location in the lobby of the Columbia Center, located at 701 Fifth Avenue in Seattle. This location is the only commercial establishment in the building's 5th Avenue lobby.[7]

Monorail Espresso location on Westlake Ave in 2022

In 2018, Monorail opened a third location on Westlake Avenue between 8th and 9th Avenues.[8]

In 2022, Monorail opened a fourth location (on 4/4) on Fourth Avenue between Union and Pike Streets.

Until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Monorail Espresso's revenue was increasing steadily. Due to the business' dependence on live foot traffic as a main source of business, the pandemic decreased their sales dramatically. However, as a forty-year-old downtown staple they were given a grant from local corporation, Amazon, in efforts to support small businesses in the area. They also benefited from the Paycheck Protection Program in later 2020.[6]

Through a program created by Hyatt Hotels Corporation named "Hyatt Loves Local" which was made in order to help support local small businesses facing a decline in sales as a result of the pandemic. Monorail Espresso worked with local downtown hotel, Motif, to create a temporary shop in their lobby where they sold Monorail Espresso merchandise like coffer growlers, shirts and other coffee accessories. [9]

The business is still running today with a staff of 16 people and the help of owner, Aimee Peck. They continue to serve double-shot espresso drinks and their popular chubby cookies.[10]

## See also

[edit]

* List of coffeehouse chains
* List of restaurant chains in the United States

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Munson, Chris; Cone, Dani (2009). Tall skinny bitter : notes from the center of coffee culture. Seattle, Wash.: Sasquatch Books. ISBN 978-1-57061-565-8.
2. ^ Tyler, Francine Thistle (1 August 1994). ""Double-Fall Order-Espresso Vendors Say Rising Coffee Prices Are The Least Of Their Concerns."". The Seattle Times. pp. E-1.
3. ^ Pat, Hanna (10 November 1991). ""Seattle Espresso Bars Gather Steam"". Los Angeles Times. pp. L-5.
4. ^ Hinshaw, Mark (2006). "WASTED WEAVE". Landscape Architecture. 96 (3): 160–158\. ISSN 0023-8031. JSTOR 44676095.
5. ^ ""Double-Fall Order-Espresso Vendors Say Rising Coffee Prices Are The Least Of Their Concerns."". infoweb.newsbank.com. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
6. ^ a b Campbell, Megan (February 12, 2021). ""Monorail Espresso Owner Is Determined to Stay on Track."". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
7. ^ "Northwest Legends: Monorail Espresso". Mukilteo Coffee. Archived from the original on 2017-04-30. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
8. ^ "Westlake Ave". Monorail Espresso. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
9. ^ Fox, Jena Tesse (2020-12-04). "Hyatt initiative supports small businesses". Hotel Management. Retrieved 2022-02-10.
10. ^ "Ever wonder why this cute Seattle walk-up coffee window was named 'Monorail Espresso'?". The Seattle Times. 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2022-01-22.

## External links

[edit]

* Coffee portal

* Media related to Monorail Espresso at Wikimedia Commons

* v
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Coffee in Seattle

Business|

* Analog
* Anchorhead
* Artly
* Bauhaus
* Black Coffee Northwest
* Boon Boona
* Café Allegro
* Café Avole
* Café Hagen
* Caffe Ladro
* Caffè Umbria
* Caffe Vita
* Cherry Street
* Drinkmore Cafe
* Elm
* Espresso Vivace
* Fuel
* Fulcrum
* Ghost Alley Espresso
* Ghost Note
* Hello Em
* Kaladi Brothers
* Kitanda
* Monorail Espresso
* Moore
* Mr. West Cafe Bar
* Overcast
* Pegasus
* Phin
* Push x Pull
* Seattle's Best
* Seattle Coffee Works
* Starbucks
* Original Starbucks
* Reserve Roastery
* Storyville
* Top Pot Doughnuts
* Tully's
* URL
* Victrola
* Wunderground
* Zeitgeist

| Defunct|

* ʔálʔal Café
* Coffee Equipment Company
* Eastern Cafe
* Last Exit on Brooklyn

|

People|

* David Schomer
* Howard Schultz

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Restaurants in Seattle

Current

* 14 Carrot Cafe
* 2120
* The 5 Point Cafe
* 8oz Burger & Co
* A+ Hong Kong Kitchen
* Analog Coffee
* Anchorhead Coffee
* Annapurna
* Archipelago
* Artusi
* Askatu Bakery
* Athenian
* Atoma
* Ba Bar
* Bakery Nouveau
* Bar del Corso
* Bateau
* Bauhaus Strong Coffee
* Beast and Cleaver
* Beecher's Handmade Cheese
* Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli
* Ben's Bread Co.
* Beth's
* Big Mario's Pizza
* Biscuit Bitch
* Bizzarro Italian Cafe
* Black Coffee Northwest
* Blazing Bagels
* BluWater Bistro
* Bok a Bok
* Boon Boona Coffee
* Café Allegro
* Café Avole
* Cafe Campagne
* Café Hagen
* Caffe Ladro
* Caffè Umbria
* Canlis
* Canon
* Capitol Cider
* The Carlile Room
* Carmelo's Tacos
* Central Saloon
* Cherry Street Coffee House
* The Chicken Supply
* Cinnamon Works
* Comet Tavern
* Communion
* The Confectional
* Copacabana
* Copine
* Coping Cookies
* The Crumpet Shop
* Dahlia Bakery
* Daily Dozen Doughnut Company
* D' La Santa
* D'Ambrosio Gelato
* Dead Line
* Delancey
* DeLaurenti Food & Wine
* DeLuxe
* Dick's Drive-In
* Dim Sum King
* Dingfelder's
* Dino's Tomato Pie
* Don't Yell at Me
* Donut Factory
* Dough Joy
* Drinkmore
* Drip Tea
* El Borracho
* El Chupacabra
* Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt
* Elm Coffee Roasters
* Eltana
* Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar
* Espresso Vivace
* Ezell's Chicken
* Familyfriend
* Fat's Chicken and Waffles
* Feed Co. Burgers
* Fisherman's
* FOB Poke Bar
* Fogón
* Frank's Quality Produce
* Frankie & Jo's
* Frelard Tamales
* Fuel Coffee
* Fuji Bakery
* Fulcrum Coffee
* Full Tilt Ice Cream
* Gelatiamo
* General Porpoise
* Georgia's
* Ghost Alley Espresso
* Ghost Note Coffee
* Glo's
* Goldfinch Tavern
* Gracia
* Grand Central Bakery
* Greenlake Bar and Grill
* Half and Half Doughnut Co.
* Hamdi
* Hattie's Hat
* Hellenika Cultured Creamery
* Hello Em
* Hello Robin
* Homer
* HoneyHole Sandwiches
* Hood Famous
* Hot Mama's Pizza
* Huong Binh
* Husky Deli
* Indian-Nepali Kitchen
* Itsumono
* Ivar's
* Jack's Fish Spot
* Jackalope
* Jade Garden
* Joe's Bar and Grill
* Joule
* Jules Maes Saloon
* Julia's on Broadway
* Kamonegi
* Katsu Burger
* Kedai Makan
* Kilig
* Kitanda
* Koko's
* La Carta de Oaxaca
* La Josie's
* Lark
* Le Panier
* La Parisienne
* Le Pichet
* Leon Coffee House
* Life on Mars
* Lil Red
* Lil Woody's
* Linda's Tavern
* Local Tide
* Lockspot Cafe
* Lost Lake
* Macrina Bakery
* Mad Pizza
* Madrona Arms
* Maíz
* Maneki
* Marjorie
* Market Grill
* The Matador
* Matt's in the Market
* Mecca
* Mee Sum Pastry
* Meesha
* Merchant's
* Michou Deli
* Mighty-O Donuts
* Mike's Chili Parlor
* Mike's Noodle House
* Molly Moon's
* Momiji
* Monorail Espresso
* Monsoon
* Moonrise Bakery
* Moore Coffee
* Moto Pizza
* Mr. D's Greek Delicacies
* Mr. West Cafe Bar
* Mt. Bagel
* Mt. Joy
* Musang
* Nacho Borracho
* Nue
* Oasis Tea Zone
* Oddfellows
* Off Alley
* Off the Rez
* Ooink
* Oriental Mart
* The Original Philly's
* Original Starbucks
* Osteria la Spiga
* Overcast Coffee Company
* Oxbow
* Pagliacci Pizza
* Paju
* Palace Kitchen
* Palisade
* Pam's Kitchen
* Pancita
* Paseo
* Pegasus Coffee Company
* Phin
* Phnom Penh Noodle House
* Phở Bắc
* Phởcific Standard Time
* Pike Place Bakery
* Pike Place Chinese Cuisine
* Pike Place Chowder
* The Pink Door
* Pinoyshki
* Piroshky Piroshky
* Poquitos
* Post Alley Pizza
* Prost
* Push x Pull
* Quick Pack Food Mart
* Quinn's Pub
* R+M Dessert Bar
* Rachel's Ginger Beer
* Radiator Whiskey
* Raised Doughnuts
* Ramen Danbo
* Ray's Boathouse
* Red Cow
* Red Mill Burgers
* Red Robin
* Regent
* Rhein Haus
* Rione XIII
* Ristorante Machiavelli
* Rob Roy
* Rocket Taco
* Rough and Tumble Pub
* Rubinstein Bagels
* Rumba
* Rupee Bar
* Saigon Deli
* Saigon Vietnam Deli
* Saint Bread
* Sal Y Limón
* Salty's
* Salumi
* Sam's Tavern
* Sea Wolf
* Seattle Best Tea
* Seattle Coffee Works
* Seattle Fish Guys
* Seattle Harbor
* Serafina
* Serious Pie
* Shikorina
* Shug's
* Single Shot
* Sisters and Brothers Bar
* Skillet
* Slim's Last Chance
* Spice Waala
* Spinasse
* Starbucks Reserve Roastery
* Storyville Coffee
* Sugar Bakery & Cafe
* Sully's Snowgoose Saloon
* Sushi Kashiba
* Sweet Alchemy
* Tacos Chukis
* Tai Tung
* Tamari Bar
* Tamarind Tree
* Taurus Ox
* Tavern Law
* Tavolàta
* Temple Pastries
* Terra Plata
* Thanh Son Tofu and Bakery
* That's Amore
* Three Girls Bakery
* Top Pot Doughnuts
* Torrefazione Italia
* The Triple Door
* Turkish Delight
* Uli's Famous Sausage
* Un Bien
* Unicorn
* URL Coffee
* Via Tribunali
* Victrola
* Virginia Inn
* Volunteer Park Cafe
* Voula's Offshore Cafe
* The Walrus and the Carpenter
* Westman's Bagel & Coffee
* Westward
* The Whale Wins
* White Swan Public House
* Wild Ginger
* Wild Mountain Cafe
* Wood Shop BBQ
* The Woods
* World Pizza
* Wunderground Coffee
* Xi'an Noodles
* Yummy House Bakery
* Zeitgeist Coffee
* Zig Zag Café
* Zylberschtein's

Defunct

* ʔálʔal Café
* Andy's Diner
* Barrio
* Bavarian Meats
* Blotto
* Boca
* Burbs Burgers
* Bush Garden
* Coastal Kitchen
* Country Dough
* Crush
* Dacha Diner
* Dahlia Lounge
* Eastern Cafe
* Eight Row
* Foreign National
* Harbor City
* Henry's Tavern
* Iron Horse
* Jackson's Catfish Corner
* JuneBaby
* Kōbo Pizza
* Last Exit on Brooklyn
* The London Plane
* Loulay
* Manning's Cafeterias
* Marmite
* Maximus/Minimus
* Miller's Guild
* Omega Ouzeri
* Optimism Brewing Company
* Pizzeria Credo
* Pizzeria Gabbiano
* Plum Bistro
* Poppy
* Purr Cocktail Lounge
* Rancho Bravo Tacos
* The Red Door
* Salare
* Shanghai Garden
* Sitka and Spruce
* SkyCity
* Stateside
* Taku
* Tin Table
* Tula's
* Vito's

Related

* Asean Streat Food Hall
* Pike Place Market
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47°36′40″N 122°20′06″W﻿ / ﻿47.61111°N 122.33500°W﻿ / 47.61111; -122.33500
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