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A classic Capitol Hill cafe space will soon be empty, something great — and open during the day — should fill it

(Image: Weinstein A+U)

You will want to stop by the corner of 11th and Pike to pay a final visit to old friend Cafe Pettirosso before it closes in February. You might be back there soon to say hello to a new cafe in the space.

Building owner and developer Liz Dunnย said the building can be home to a new restaurant with the planned overhaul of the structure nowhere near close to breaking ground.

“The Baker Linen building is 108 years old and so it does need a seismic retrofit as well as upgrades to all its systems, but we do not even have a complete design yet, let alone a schedule, permit or financing to do this,” Dunn tells CHS.

Owners Miki and Yuki Sodos said the planned renovation of the H.W. Baker Linen Supply Co. building was the final piece in deciding to walk away as Pettirosso’s last lease ends after 27 years of business for the cafe.

CHS first reported on the redevelopment plans in 2019 including a full seismic overhaul of the 11th and Pike structure and addition of two new floors of office space plus a redesign of the old freight elevator.

Dunn says COVID has been exhausting for restaurants in her development company’s buildings including Chophouse Row and says she understands the Pettirosso decision.

Plans for the building’s redevelopment include the addition of new stories (Image: Weinstein A+U)

The pandemic has also delayed the Baker Linen project, setting developer Dunn and Hobbes back both financially and in the design process as it works with the city’s Architectural Review Committee process required for the landmark protected building.

Meanwhile, Dunn says there is hope food and drink in the 11th Ave space will carry on as they are now “actively seeking a casual cafe tenant” that will be open daytime hours to help support the building’s other tenants including retailer Retrofit Home.

In the meantime, there are goodbyes to be said and final treats to be savored. Cafe Pettirossoโ€™s last day will be February 6th.

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6 Comments
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CD Lifer
CD Lifer
3 years ago

How about a coffee shop that is open late for once?

Capitol Hill Resident
Capitol Hill Resident
3 years ago
Reply to  CD Lifer

I agree! So many coffee shops are closing in the afternoon now.

AJack
AJack
3 years ago

I like the European approach–coffee bar in the morning and afternoon, and bar/wine bar at night. I think Union Coffee is doing something like this and it makes better use of the space.

HelpMeUnderstand
HelpMeUnderstand
3 years ago
Reply to  AJack

Liberty on 15th has this model.

joanna
joanna
3 years ago

Hopefully tea and coffee would still be available in the evening too. Serving alcohol should not preclude that. Many years ago, I enjoyed stopping in at B&o and other coffee shops later in the evening.

Will
Will
3 years ago
Reply to  joanna

You should try Good Weather/Tailwind Cafรจ! Nice people with coffee, tea, good, food and drinks in the evening. Plus, then you get nice courtyard back there.