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Cafe Argento dances to eight years serving coffee & community on Capitol Hill

Faizel Khan is not an angry bird (Image: CHS)

We made only brief mention of the party in this week’s CHS food + drink notes — but an 8-year Capitol Hill birthday deserves a little more attention. Especially when you’re talking about making it as a simple cafe in a neighborhood undergoing rapid change.

Part of Faizel Khan’s success at Cafe Argento, he says, has been to integrate into the 12th Ave community around his shop. “FInd a non-profit and do everything you can to work with them,” Khan said, doling out advice between serving morning customers. At Argento, Khan has closely aligned himself with the Cornish dance program and the dancers that utilize nearby Velocity Dance for training. You’ll find dancers in line — and behind the counter working as baristas as they train toward stardom, etc. This staffing strategy, in CHS’s humble opinion, is not a bad marketing ploy.


It’s also the kind of relationship Khan says is necessary for a coffee shop to survive. That, and owning your own space doesn’t hurt.

Khan said that Cafe Argento also happens to be a happy accident of the “condo flipping” bubble of the mid 2000s as investors pored through Capitol Hill looking for apartments to turn into condominium projects. The investor who bought the building where Khan was leasing space for Argento made him an offer to stay in the Onyx project he couldn’t refuse. Now Khan looks forward to the day when he has paid off the property in full and can move out from behind the counter as the landlord for some future version of the cafe.

For now, however, he’s happy to face the (week)daily grind of running the place — and actually working behind its counter. “I stay in my cage most of the time,” Khan said referring to the small kitchen space where he pulls lattes and prepares samosas for the oven. “Early in the morning, it’s just me and 12th Ave and the joggers and the druggies.”

You — and 12th Ave, the joggers and the druggies — can celebrate along with Khan as he offers 15% off any item through April. Here’s his announcement on the anniversary. You can learn more at facebook.com/cafeargento12thave.

Coffee. Conversation. Community Service. This is the ethos of Café Argento. When owner Faizel Khan opened Café Argento in April of 2004, his goal was heartfelt: Create a space that is welcoming, comfortable, and safe. In other words – all are welcome at Café Argento. This month, Faizel will celebrate 8 years of business in the Seattle neighborhood of Capitol Hill. As the old saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

“A lot of our success could be attributed to my focus on creating a space where individuals and nonprofit groups are welcome,” said Faizel, who is always on site preparing every menu item from scratch to ensure freshness while saving on labor. “Café Argento is a part of Capitol Hill. We are he oldest independent coffee house on 12th Ave.”

Over the last 8 years Café Argento has shared thousands of dollars and services with Richard Hugo House, Dance Art Group, Rose Hedge/MultiFaith, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Trikone Northwest, and Velocity Dance – to name a few.

At Café Argento customers are treated to an upscale café experience with affordable pricing. Faizel runs a tight ship. Samosas and lunch pies are made daily and if all you need is a quick bite, a savory variety sandwich takes just a few minutes to prepare. Lunch items range from $3.75 – $6.25. Some of the perks at Café Argento include no charge for soy, speedy WiFi, recession proof prices, a relaxing space and generous staff.

Café Argento will celebrate 8 years of business during the whole month of April. What that means for its customers is a 15% discount – all month! Just stop by and say, “Happy Birthday” and let Argento spoil you while making your pocket book happy. Enjoy the discount on Café Vita Coffee, homemade Chai, fresh jumbo samosas (vegan), homemade soup and bread (vegan), vegetable deep dish pizza, turkey or vegan sandwiches, homemade baked Reese’s chocolate chip cookies, and much more.

“I wouldn’t be here without the support and partnerships of the community and neighborhood my shop helps to support,” said Faizel. “Call it karma or goodwill, but every shop owner needs to give back, no matter how much or how little. Stop by and celebrate our anniversary with us. And THANK YOU for your support.”   

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11 Comments
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genevieve
genevieve
11 years ago

Thanks for doing a bigger spotlight on my favorite cafe in the city. Faizel is the best!

Mary
11 years ago

This is, without a doubt, the most delightful coffee shop in the city! And I’ve tried them all. Faizel is the epitome of excellent, dare I say, perfect customer service, and the coffee and tasty treats he prepares are delicious. I’m so glad he is experiencing the success he so richly deserves.

whiteshedevil
11 years ago

Whoop, whoop! That man does not look old enough to have a business for 8 years!?! All that great coffee must be his fountain of youth. Congratulations to Faizel and Argento and all the wonderful times and many, many more! <3<3<3

faizel Kahn
11 years ago

Reading your feedback…..welling up a bit…thanks for the kind.sweet words….I hope all is well with you! Much Much Faiz!!

Faizel Khan
11 years ago

Kisses Mary! ; ) M_M Faiz

Faizel Khan
11 years ago

Yes- You have a free 120′ Misto ready whenever you want-3 Splendas? Kisses and Hugs to You Sweetz! M-M Faiz

hendrixfan
11 years ago

Hope the business continues to do well

Natalie
11 years ago

favorite coffee on the hill. always hot. best bagels. LOVE the bright smiles behind the counter every day!

Elissa
11 years ago

Faizel is awesome! This place is the best. (And the chai is the best.) I used to work nearby–I really miss it. Congratulations on 8 years!

Faizel Khan
11 years ago

Thanks Nat~ Cant wait to meet “The Mom” Much Faiz

Faizel Khan
11 years ago

Thanks Elissa~hope your having a great new year-swing by whenever youre in the hood! Much Much Faiz