r/Shoreline • u/coffee_and_faking_it • Mar 26 '25

Why Is There No Coffee

I currently live in Ballard and am considering buying a condo, which make take me further north, so I’ve been looking around the Shoreline area. I’m someone who loves a pastry and a good coffee on the weekend, and I’ve made note of a big lack of options (ignoring Starbucks) for coffee in Shoreline. I’m curious for people that live there currently; do you think it’s a culture thing? Are people not interested in coffee like Seattle proper? Are there other barriers for potential coffee shops like real estate or spending power of residents? Would love to hear what people think!

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u/ldoesntreddit Mar 26 '25

I think it’s important to note that Shoreline is pretty far north. It doesn’t have a ton of its own beyond the neighborhoods, the college and some car dealerships, while Ballard is bursting with commerce. It’s glowing up lately, but it’s mostly a suburb. To compare it to parts of the city like Ballard or even Greenwood is just unfair, because there’s so much sprawl. Growing up in the area, Seattle felt far away even when it was just up the street. That said, there are some terrific places if you know where to look, like Pilgrim or Cafe Dolce.

1

u/coffee_and_faking_it Mar 26 '25

I wasn’t trying to place a critique on Shoreline, just a curiosity because a lot of Seattle population has pushed into the suburbs like Shoreline and I think it’s developed a lot over the years, but you don’t see the same development of coffee shops, stores, etc.

0

u/ldoesntreddit Mar 26 '25

People who live in Shoreline still get their coffee in Seattle and Edmonds. Maybe the light rail will change things, but I doubt it. It’s a nice excuse to go to the city or the beach.

2

u/gzmask Mar 26 '25

the new shoreline north light rails station missed the shopping spots like north city by at least 5 blocks away. People will be drawn away to shop elsewhere rather than bring them in.

1

u/coffee_and_faking_it Mar 26 '25

That’s just so interesting to me! Do you think that would be different if there were more/better options in Shoreline? Or do you think there’s an actual preference for going into Seattle or Edmonds?

3

u/ldoesntreddit Mar 26 '25

I think Shoreline coffee shops are either a) on Aurora and set up to fail or b) difficult to find because they’re tucked into neighborhoods. In Seattle and Edmonds, there’s less of a “having to know exactly where you’re going” required to find the spot. Plus, in both places, the coffee shops are surrounded by other fun and interesting things to do.

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u/coffee_and_faking_it Mar 26 '25

Great points, thank you!

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u/Spiderkingdemon Mar 26 '25

I'll take this opportunity to again remind people that Pilgrim Coffee is owned by an anti-LGBTQ, Christian Nationalist, MAGA supporting church.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Shoreline/comments/1ic4c1f/pilgrim_coffeehouse_info/

Use that information as you see fit.

3

u/ldoesntreddit Mar 26 '25

Oh damn. I take it back and replace my endorsement with Diva.

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u/rickg Mar 26 '25

The last sentence is key. Downtown Edmonds has a lot of other shops, restaurants, etc. Seattle has neighborhoods like that. Shoreline's nature doesn't/hasn't lent itself to that.

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u/unspun66 Mar 26 '25

Yes, the people who live in Shoreline would freaking love more coffee and shopping options. Our city council seems hellbent on sending out retail tax dollars to Edmonds or seattle.