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A visit to I-5 Shores: Analog Coffee, Thomas Market & Deli + a house in plastic wrap

There’s quite a hum of activity along Summit and Bellevue Avenues this week as a new coffee shop celebrates its full opening, a new market is under construction and artists are doing wacky things like covering a home in plastic wrap. Here’s what we found on our recent visit.

First, the newest news. CHS has a few details to share about the new grocery mart under construction along a stretch of Summit at Thomas being transformed into a little enclave of interesting things. Neighboring the new Analog Coffee (pictured on this post), the Thomas Market & Deli should join the hum in the next month. Owner Won Williamson is the man behind the U District’s Trinity Market. For a preview of what’s to come, know that Trinity is known as a serviceable-enough market and a great deli. Here are some thoughts from Yelp:

The Veggie Reuben is my personal favorite. It comes on soft, lightly toasted rye with the normal Reubenish stuff — Russian dressing, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. The big difference from your normal Reuben is the inclusion of Field Roast wild mushroom slices — some of the tastiest faux meat I’ve had and it’s local! Highly recommended, even if it is a bit greasy.

It’s a mom/pop place so things are a bit more expensive. Fruits and vegetables are never to be trusted. But aside from that, they have everything you’d need to survive. I’ll return frequently. Mainly because it’s the biggest little market you’ll find in the area.

Building owner and architect Bob Weisenbach tells us he’s planning to continue the overhaul of his building to create a community gathering place. Thomas Market will join Analog and Thomas St. Bistro as well as an incoming retailer on a corner of Summit most recently home to offices and a gym.

As for Analog, CHS has already had quite a bit to say about the coffee-dedicated coffee shop. Seattle Weekly gets teary eyed:

(Images: CHS)

 

The coffee that makes it into the translucent little green mug in my hands is the Brazil, Fazenda Amerello Serrado. I chose it, in all honesty, because the tasting notes said “gingerbread.” And I love gingerbread. The notes were no lie. Cherry, lemon, gingerbread . . . smooth, juicy, spicy, and consistent throughout the cooling process. Never too tart, just sweet enough, with beautifully rounded flavor.

​Leaning back against a window, seated on a wooden pew, and watching as the two-man team of cafe owners/managers/baristas Danny Hanlon and Tim Hayden take time to introduce themselves to each person who walks in the door, shaking hands and easily striking up conversation, I confess that I am quite taken with this space–both anxious to see what it becomes, and hopeful that it won’t hurry too much to grow up.

Analog is on the corner of Thomas and Summit. Hours, thanks to this community reporting, are now 7a-6p. Closed Sundays.

Meanwhile, down a block or so on Bellevue Ave E, the artists behind the Mad Homes project have started their work to transform a row of single family homes into an outdoor art exhibit. You could wait until the work is unveiled on the 16th but it’s more fun to watch the changes as a lucky Capitol Hill resident who can walk or bike by and see art in progress.

 

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Eckstein
Eckstein
12 years ago

They’re right by my house! It’s really fun to watch them develop them every time I walk by.

Tom
Tom
12 years ago

I live by there too. I’m trying to reserve judgement for the finished product, but when you attach the remains of piece of shit former bookcase to a tree in the front yard of a house, it’s gonna look like a dumping ground. Sorry, I’m not enough of an art lover I guess

R.P.
R.P.
12 years ago

So I have been a semi-regular (go every couple of months) at the Crescent karaoke bar for a half dozen years now.

I went there this week, and the doorman wouldn’t let me in without searching my bag for firearms. This made me very uncomfortable to be searched for firearms trying to get into a neighborhood bar.

My question is:
A) Has the safety in the neighborhood around Olive Way completely crashed so much that they need to search for firearms at bars? or
B) Does the Crescent have a threat to it that they NEED to search people for firearms? or
C) Was the doorman just being a dick?

jseattle
jseattle
12 years ago

A little off topic? :) Haven’t heard anything new afoot

Ryan in the sky
12 years ago

I-5 shores is an ill-fitting name for the neighborhood.

JoshMahar
JoshMahar
12 years ago

Agreed Ryan. It is a constant debate :) Personally I like Old Slope because it’s the oldest developed part of Capitol Hill and that helps blend it with the Harvard Belmont area up North. Summit Slope works too.