Pioneer Coffee Roasting Company at 2536 Alki Ave SW will be leaving their beach location after five years primarily because, according to landlord Tom Lin, they failed to negotiate their lease in a timely fashion.

Taking their place, likely by mid April will be Ampersand, another coffee purveyor that is actually an offshoot of Slices Pizza owned by married couple and business duo Marisa Tanji and Daryl Waits.

Lin explained," Pioneer came to me two weeks ago to negotiate their lease but that's too late. Normally you talk about this kind of thing six months to a year in advance. It's a desirable location so it has offers. The people at Pioneer just got in touch with me too late."

For their part Pioneer is not happy but are now in the process of seeking another West Seattle location, ruling out any other local community. Manager Lisa del Rosario said, "We are looking for a new spot and obviously we'd like to stay somewhere on Alki but anywhere in West Seattle will do. We are figuring if we spread the word maybe someone can help us out. We don't need that much space. We serve beer and wine and that means we need a little more space. It's been a successful five years so it's unfortunate we are leaving. Five people will be losing their jobs."

They are planning a big Thank You Party (and a big opening party if they find a new spot), over two days Friday and Saturday March 29 and 30. "We will probably do free coffee drinks as a thank you," said Lisa.

Ampersand will utilize the kitchen at Slices to prepare all the food to be served once they open in the location and will sell also sell beer and wine. They are aiming at a mid April date for their opening.

You can keep with Pioneer via their website at http://www.pioneercoffeeco.com or contact them through the site as well http://www.pioneercoffeeco.com/contact/contact.html