After many months, Bauhaus Coffee and Books has finally opened in Ballard.
For months, the corner space where Epilogue Books used to sit has sat empty, forlorn, with a sign promising that Bauhaus Coffee and Books was "coming soon" but with nary a movement inside.
Today, passersby may have noticed a new story at the corner of 20th and Market. The space has come to life and Bauhaus is in action.
For the Ballardite not in the know, Bauhaus had been a Capitol Hill institution for 20 years on the dot, from Oct. 5 1993 to Oct. 5 2013. But make no mistake, the Ballard location is an addition not a replacement, and the Capitol Hill saga will continue as they reopen in a different location in (hopefully) November.
Meanwhile, Cap Hillers can make the journey to the Northwest corner of Seattle, in Ballard, where the new Bauhaus looks a lot like the old Bauhaus. A large open space with lots of tables and seating, old books and encyclopedias, the Ballard Bauhaus promises to produce the same old atmosphere.
"I love Ballard. It's probably my favorite neighborhood," said owner Joel Radin, who is also behind Ballard's Zayda Buddy's and Top Pot Doughnuts. "I saw this place a couple years ago and I was like, 'Bam! This has to be Bauhaus.' When I'm in here it feels like Bauhaus."
Radin noted that the location felt a little like Capitol Hill, too, with the art store across the street and Li'l Woody's and Sonic Boom just down the road. (And don't forget another old Cap Hill face, B&O Espresso, on Leary Way.)
Bauhaus partnered up with Twice Sold Tales to sell books at the location, because, well, how can you have Bauhaus Coffee and Books without the books?
In an interview back in November of 2012, Twice Sold Tales owner John Watkins said he always enjoyed the pleasure of matching a book to a reader.
On the Ballard location, Watkins said, "I've always liked Ballard and it seems to be kind of a hopping neighborhood these days. A lot of folks from Capitol Hill go down to Ballard, so it's a good fit for us."
Expect to see the traditional Bauhaus Strong Coffee, Velton's coffee, Top Pot Doughnuts and possibly Zayda Buddy sandwiches at the new location.
The Ballard Bauhaus will have familiar hours to fans of the old Bauhaus, 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day.
"That's what we've been doing and people seem to love a place to hang out late that's not about alcohol," Radin says.
On finally being open, Radin says, "My words are: Finally. Thankful. Awesome. I don't know what to say. I'm just glad we're open, and I hope Ballard's happy, too."
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