Alki Coffee Company and Ben & Jerry's are teaming up to bring a delightful new experience to the former Starbucks location at 2742 Alki Ave SW, with the soft opening slated for April 23. The dynamic duo behind this venture, Mark Mullet, former state legislator (now embarked , and Jonathan Stebbins, are excited to create a welcoming neighborhood hub.

They both bring a background in hospitality to the new place with ownership of other Ben & Jerry's franchises in the area. "Mark and I are both owners of the Kirkland and Bellevue Ben & Jerrys shops and have been since 2016," Stebbins said, "When Mark and I became business partners, I moved into a role outside of being an owner where I oversee all of our managers at all of our stores. Sort of in a regional manager role or operational manager role. My “day-to-day job” is providing support for all of our managers who run our stores along with the administrative side of things." 

They've been friends for more than a decade.

They are very aware of the previous Ben & Jerry's that came to the junction more than a decade ago. "We don't want to try to compete with Husky Deli," said Mullet, "We completely respect them and think there's room for us here."

More Than Just Coffee and Ice Cream

This isn't just another coffee shop or ice cream parlor; it's a fusion of both, designed to cater to the community's cravings year-round. "The problem with ice cream is most people are only buying ice cream once a month, to be honest, whereas frequent coffee purchasers get coffee five times a week from the same place," explained Mullet.

Ben & Jerry's offers a wide array ice cream flavors, some available only in pints. Normally they number in 35 to 40 varieties in store.

Their best-selling flavor is Half Baked. This fan-favorite combines chocolate and vanilla ice cream with fudge brownies and gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough.

Their flavor names are known for their creativity and playfulness, often incorporating puns, pop culture references, and clever wordplay. For example, flavors like "Cherry Garcia" pay homage to the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia, while "Phish Food" is a nod to the band Phish. All ice cream is made in Vermont, even the ice cream sold in their over 600 locations worldwide, including scoop shops, grocery stores, and even ice cream delivery services. Their scoop shops are known for serving up their iconic flavors in cones, sundaes, shakes, and more.

The 2,500 square foot space will dedicate about 400-500 feet to Ben & Jerry's, while the remaining space will feature the coffee shop. Comfy chairs, and space for computer users to hang out are part of the plan. The much loved fireplace has been retained and will sport a custom driftwood collage over it created by owner Stebbins. A custom vinyl mural will decorate the Ice Cream area wall, while a paddle board will adorn the south wall. The interior decor clearly delineates the two businesses. The ice cream side is in white tile, the coffee company side is in brilliant blue tile. 

Alki Coffee Company aims to be more than just a caffeine stop. The "coffee cafe" will boast a diverse menu, including acai bowls, avocado toast, paninis, breakfast sandwiches, crepes, and Belgian waffles made fresh. With crepes around $12 and paninis around $9-$10, the goal is to be an accessible spot for regular visits. The coffee, roasted by a local Orcas Island business owner, will feature a custom Alki Coffee Company blend. The owners are working to get the coffee certified organic, emphasizing their commitment to quality and sustainability.

A Unique Tea Experience

For tea lovers, Alki Coffee Company will offer a curated selection of unique blends. According to the owners, these will include Fisherman's Foggy Morning with Nettles, Touch of Grey/Earl Grey with Rose, Darjeeling with Rose Hip and Wine Grape, White Peony with Honeysuckle and Basil, Chai with Toasted Madrone Bark, and Island Herbal Chamomile/Lemongrass & Mint. The owners are collaborating with their Orcas Island coffee partner to source these teas.

Ben & Jerry's: A Sweet Addition

The Ben & Jerry's section will offer the classic ice cream experience. It will include ice cream cakes that are perfect for celebrations, with ready-made options or custom orders. Customers can order custom ice cream cakes online, choosing flavors, designs, and fillings, which the staff will then make in-house. They are offering catering services for events of all sizes, partnering with other franchisees to handle large-scale events. Vegan (using Oatmilk)  and certified gluten free options (but no sugar free) will be available.

Hyper-Local Wood

Adding a unique touch, the shop's design incorporates reclaimed wood from a giant cedar tree that fell in a neighbor's yard during a November storm in Issaquah.

Grand Opening Plans

Mark your calendars for the grand opening on Saturday, April 26th, with potential events throughout the day, including face painters and maybe even a visit from Dubs, the University of Washington's Husky mascot. The owners are also working with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and local businesses for raffles and other collaborative efforts.

Community-Focused

Alki Coffee Company and Ben & Jerry's aims to be deeply involved in the West Seattle community. Their mission is to provide a welcoming space for everyone, serve ethically sourced coffee, and foster community. Their core values include community, sustainability, and quality. They plan on sourcing baked goods from local bakeries like Macrina. In keeping with the former occupants policies they will also offer high-bandwidth Wi-Fi for customers.

Stebbins, who lives in West Seattle, will be based out of the store, ensuring a strong connection to the neighborhood. "We just want Alki to have their neighborhood coffee shop back," said Stebbins.

The business will open at 7am for breakfast items and coffee and close at 9pm, seven days a week.

Job Opportunities

The new establishment plans to employ around 20 people, with hiring underway. Interested applicants can send their resume via email to hello@alkicoffeeco.com. Training will take place in the weeks leading up to the opening, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience for customers.