See? We told you what was coming next for the old Capitol Hill Tully’s space.

The company behind Macrina Bakery and Café has offered its first look at its planned overhaul of the 1925-built restaurant space at 19th and Aloha it plans to open later this year.

Capitol Hill, we have exciting news! This is the official glimpse of the Macrina Bakery and Café that will be open on Aloha and 19th in 2018. We cannot wait to be part of this great community. Help us spread the word! #macrinabakery #capitolhill #seattle #newlocation #comingsoon pic.twitter.com/gH6hi3YWcR

— Macrina Bakery (@MacrinaBakery) April 4, 2018

Last month, CHS broke the news that the company behind Macrina and the Pagliacci pizza chain were lined up to take over the space left empty by the departure of the financially troubled coffee chain. Company officials declined to comment on the plans at the time so Wednesday’s update represents their first public confirmation of the deal.

There were no specifics on an opening date for the space. We’ll check in to try to learn more about Macrina’s plans.

UPDATE 4/5/2018: Macrina founder Leslie Mackie tells CHS she hopes to embody the spirit of the space’s now legendary former tenant — the Surrogate Hostess.

Mackie talked with us Thursday about her plans for a new cafe, the fifth in the Macrina family and another milestone to celebrate in 2018 as the Mackie creation marks its 25th year. While she’s not sure the new cafe will be open in time for the August anniversary, Leslie said she has wanted to be at the corner amid the neighborhood’s leafy streets and kid-filled sidewalks for years.

“That’s probably the biggest reason,” Mackie said. “We love that there are so many schools around and families.”

While the outside of the old restaurant space is getting a makeover, the surface parking lot will remain. Inside, the new Macrina will include a homage to the old Surrogate Hostess’s communal tables as well as a grab and go section and a case full of baked goods and sandwiches.

Growth at Macrina has been deliberate, Mackie says, as it has slowly added new spaces over the years.

“Everything is just very deliberate,” she said. “Our growth is predicated on creating a more consistent product, making a great place to work, and making great baked goods, soups, and sandwiches for our customers.”

The full announcement from Macrina with more details on the new cafe is below:

Macrina Bakery will open its fifth café in the space formerly occupied by Tully’s at 746 19th Ave E on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. The Surrogate Hostess, a community bakery, occupied the space before Tully’s and was part of the fabric of the neighborhood.

A 2015 article in Seattle Refined by Naomi Tomky captures the essence of that former bakery, a spirit that Macrina hopes to bring back to the neighborhood:

“Long before people were concerned about the “Seattle Freeze,” neighbors shared the long wooden tables at the Surrogate Hostess, the smell of warm cinnamon rolls, fresh from the oven, melting any possible frostiness…I can still imagine the smell of baguettes baking wafting out of the big windows, which, depending on the day, let sunlight stream in or gave a dry spot from which to watch the rain beat against them. It was a community space.”

Macrina’s mission is to enrich communities through the joy of artisan baking and many local residents reached out to Macrina when the space became available. Macrina turns 25 later this year. Adding a fifth café in one of Seattle’s great neighborhoods is a memorable way to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

Offerings at the new café will include Macrina’s artisanal breads, cornetti (Italian-style croissants), distinctive pastries, cakes, tarts, sandwiches, soups, weekend brunch, a full range of coffee beverages, and many other sweet and savory items.

Leslie Mackie opened Macrina in 1993 to showcase her love of artisanal bread. Shortly after opening, Leslie added delicate and delicious pastries. Eventually, savory delights made their way onto the menu and the Macrina Café was born.

Leslie has received several nominations for the “Outstanding Pastry Chef Award” from the James Beard Foundation and is the author of two popular cookbooks. Macrina has been featured in Sunset and Pacific magazines, Bon Appétit, The LA Times, The New York Times, and has received much coverage in the local press.

Macrina’s other Seattle cafés are located in Belltown, Queen Anne, and Sodo. The fourth café is in Kent. To learn more, please visit www.macrinabakery.com. To keep up with all the latest news follow Macrina Bakery on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

UPDATE 9/5/18: Macrina has announced it will open its Aloha store Thursday morning: