SEATTLE - Shiny new espresso machines are standing by, comfy chairs and tables are ready. Now all that's needed are the customers. It's taken eight long months for "The Green Bean" coffeeshop to get to this point, bit it's finally ready.
It was an early October morning when we watched as "The Green Bean" coffee shop and several other businesses were destroyed by arson. It was a terrifying time for the neighborhood as an arsonist roamed the streets deliberately setting fires. Finally, on November 12th, the suspect was caught. Kevin Swalwell pled guilty to 11 counts of arson and has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
In the meantime, "The Green Bean" coffee shop was left to pick up the pieces.
The coffee shop began as an outreach community program by the Sanctuary Church. It quickly becamse a hub in the nieghborhood.
The loss of the space was devastating, but the community came together, found a new building and is now finally ready to re-open.
The brand new version of "The Green Bean" can be found at the old Mcdonald's restaurant site at 85th and Greenwood. The coffee shop owners got a deal on the price and began renovating several months ago.
The new space has an extra room that will be used for community programs.
The grand re-opening took place at 7am today.
As part of giving back, "The Green Bean" is also holding a food drive for the Greenwood Food bank, so bring your can goods along.
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