By Ivana Cheong
The neighborhood is buzzing as Uptown Espresso prepares to unveil its new branch in Wallingford, at 2300 N. 45th St. (formerly the Payday Loans site) on Thursday, April 14. This will be the locally owned, non-franchise chain’s eighth location, and the first new branch opened in six years.
The Wallingford Uptown joins other shops in Queen Anne, West Seattle, downtown, and Belltown. “We chose Wallingford because we got a great location,” said Uptown president Pete Noble. “Also, Wallingford is one of Seattle’s strongest neighborhoods. The space became available and it was too hard to pass up. The landlord approached my partner, Dow Lucurell, and of course, it wasn’t a hard decision.”
What makes Uptown different from the many other coffee spots along N. 45th? As Uptown’s tagline proclaims, it’s the “Home of the Velvet Foam,” a unique feature of Uptown’s premium coffee drinks, Noble tells us. “It cools the drink as you’re drinking it,” said Noble. “That’s what really differentiates our lattes from the rest and we are confident that people will enjoy it.”
Noble noted that Uptown partners and the landlord have invested in landscaping, architecture, and design touches. The space is a walkthrough, and there will be nine tables exclusively outdoors, plus ample parking.
The Wallingford Uptown Espresso is the first built in partnership. According to Noble, he and Lucurell will be very active in the store’s management. They encourage customers to give feedback to the baristas or the partners. “Never hesitate to ask for Pete,” he said. “We really want to be responsive and earn our way into the fabric of the community.”
Uptown will be open Monday to Friday, 5:00 am-7:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 am-6:00 pm. Noble told us he welcomes feedback on whether the community would like longer hours.
Ivana Cheong is the My Wallingford intern and studies Communications at the University of Washington.
Welcome! Will give them a try.