posted 03/17/11 09:50 AM | updated 03/17/11 09:52 AM
Views: 1770 | Comments : 9 | Food & Drink

Online Cafe to pick up where Online Coffee left off at East Olive Way location

By jseattle
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For the unobservant or out of town, arriving at 1727 East Olive Way this weekend for a cup of coffee might seem like just another visit to the neighborhood coffee shop. An entity apparently called Online Cafe is planning to open for business where just over a week ago, one of the three Online Coffee Company locations in the city went out of business.

(Image: CHS)

We don't know much about Online Cafe yet but are checking around to see what we can learn. It's a safe bet that the owner of Online Coffee Company is not involved given the financial situation around the company. Paper went up in the windows earlier this week along with the hand-witten signs proclaiming the new venture.

Online Coffee Company abruptly shut its two Capitol Hill and one downtown location on March 8th. Owner Ken Fox blamed the high price of coffee and the increased availability of Internet access for ending his decade-plus run of business.

We reported this week that the first signs of major troubles with the Online Coffee Company business emerged in January as the company-owned headquarters at Pine and 14th had been foreclosed and sold at auction to a bank. Things weren't any better at Fox's leased Olive Way location. A notice posted at the East Olive Way shop says Online Coffee owed $56,661.98 in back rent.

Fox also cited four lawsuits as contributing to his chain's demise. We'll have more on those soon.

Thanks tipper Joe!

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Wow
The body is still warm.
Comment by kage3000
March 17, 2011
I betcha
Oh, I wouldn't be surprised at all if this is the same owner. He probably set up a new llc (or put it in a relatives name) and assumed the lease for this, his most profitable store. I don't see how anyone else, without knowing the numbers, would be willing to move in so quickly and run the same biz.
Comment by kb
March 17, 2011
RE: I betcha
I think you are close. Searching the state's corporations database, it looks like the place is owned by Online's former manager.
Comment by linder seattle
March 17, 2011
RE: I betcha
Linder's on the trail :) We're hoping to get more from Nick Woell about his new venture.
http://capitolhillseattle.com
Comment by jseattle
March 17, 2011
RE: I betcha
oh yeah - that would make a lot of sense too. he would know the numbers. i'll bet the former owner is pissed!
Comment by kb
March 17, 2011
Thanks to Ken
For 12 years, we've enjoyed his low-pressure places to hang out and have good coffee, drinks, and eats. I feel grateful to the owner, for all his places meant to the Hill. Farewell!
Comment by abbasolomon
March 17, 2011
Hope they have better coffee
This is great news! That was a cool location and the computers often do come in handy for people who don't have smartphones or laptops with them all the time. I just hope the new owner gets a better source of coffee. I assume since Online was roasting their own coffee that that part of the business is shut down, too. Please just get your coffee from Stumptown or Vita or some other established roaster--that was always to the weak point at Online Coffee.
Comment by ZefWagner
March 17, 2011
My guess
Wouldnt it be funny if it was another starbucks experimental location just like roy street coffe? Who else would be able to move that quickly into that spot unless they either have a ton of resources or knew well in advance that this was coming. You dont just sit around on your ass and magically decide to start a shop like that on short notice....just a theory
Comment by Jaws
March 17, 2011
Corporation papers
By following the link from Linder you can see the corporation papers for Online Cafe were filed and accepted by the state in mid-February.
Comment by jeanineanderson
March 18, 2011