In The Junction at lunchtime today, we spotted that sign outside Junction Bakery and Café, which until a remodel and name change 5 months ago had been Coffee to a Tea with Sugar: Tomorrow is their last day of business, after nine years. Not a total surprise since it’s been listed for sale; the owners aren’t commenting yet on what’s next. They will be open till 5 pm tomorrow and are then papering the windows for farewell messages.
No!!! Loved getting cakes and cupcakes here. So much better than across the street. Are high leases forcing out businesses? If so,who owns the junction buildings? Are locally owned buildings more reasonable than those owned from afar?
I loved this place and got a great wedding cake here about 6 years ago. I stopped going after the remodel and so did many people I know because it was no longer kid friendly. We switched to Stuffed Cakes which is small but the proprietors are super kid friendly and welcoming. The cupcakes are special too!
The place has been empty ever since the remodel. No more moms with kids asking for hot cocoa and cupcakes. Opportunity totally missed.
Just wanted to let everyone know that I have LOVED being in the Junction for the last 9 years. I have met so many wonderful people and had the privilege to be a part of your lives as you mine. I have grown not only as a business owner but a person. I would not be where I am today without the incredible people that I hesitate to call staff but love to call family, thank-you all so very much. The rent has not ended my stay here as I have the best landladies that have helped me in my ups and downs of small business ownership. That being said my leaving is just writing the final chapter in a beautiful book. It is time for someone else to live their dream. Thank-you West Seattle. Sugar Rush Baking Co…. Jodi
No!!!!! They know how to make a wet cappuccino and I love the ambience.
Are they closing because they alienated all the moms of small children by suddenly becoming a lot less child-friendly?
The King County Parcel viewer:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/operations/GIS/PropResearch/ParcelViewer.aspx
For anyone that wants to know who owns what in the Junction. Or elsewhere.
This is so sad; another business closing. Their minis were the best. Although, I do have to say that the staff were less then open, airy and friendly like their name/brand implies.
It has never been the same since Shannon left several years ago. She was obviously the heart of the business. We all know she was the one responsible for all the tasty treats. Hope she’s happy wherever she landed.
I agree this is so sad, they definitely have better cakes and cupcakes than across the street and always had wonderful people working the counter. What will I serve for my kids birthdays now?
Why did they change such a cute, memorable name like Coffee to a Tea with Sugar to Junction Bakery??
Their cupcakes were so much better than Royale.. when visiting me, my mom would specifically go there to take a dozen home in that pretty pink box.
This is so disappointing.
Very sad to hear they’re closing. I will miss this place! Loved the casual ambience. Nothing else similar nearby.
Their most recent Groupon expires on June 16 and they suddenly close one week before. Yes, I have sympathy, and yes, I will get a refund from Groupon but I still think it’s a dishonorable way to treat your customers.
Jodi, we have LOVED getting our egg carton full of mini cupcakes for any event. Your business will be sorely missed. Wishing you the very best moving forward.
This will make two shops at that location which are/will be missed – Snubbys and now Junction Bakery & Cafe.
Since a job change took me to SODO a few years ago , I have not been much of a patron – but I will always have fond memories of this coffee shop. Was a great place to write – or just loaf around outside watching Junction life.
I guess a certain buddy of mine will be looking for a new spot to work on his daily crossword puzzle:)
Best wishes to everyone involved. Your contributions meant a lot to many of us.
Noooooo! This was the only place around the junction that had a decent cup cake and really good pie. We were just starting to go to this place on a regular basis. So sad.
What an oasis for my daughter and I during long rainy days as a new mother. We spent lots of time toddling there. My daughter is 5 now and we’ve moved on too. Thanks for the memories.
Bummer! Like others have said, their cupcakes were the best and it was a great place to sit and relax. Going to miss them.
Gahhh!! I loved that place. Best cupcakes, hands down. I’m really bummed to hear this. I’m sorry the employees are out of a job too…
Take care, Sugar Rush Baking Company/Coffee to a Tea/Junction Bakery & Cafe! Too many names was confusing…should have just been Sugar Rush Baking Company or Bakery…
This was a place where we would bring our kids for cupcakes and let them play once ir twice a week. We went in there after the remodel and were told our kids were too loud while playing at the train table and that they were now a “cafe”. They had a good thing going, somewhere that parents could take their kids and meet up. West Seattle needs a kid fun place.. Not sad to see them go
Sad to hear the news. We will miss the place. Good luck everyone there, we will miss you all!
this is sad. when we had our daughter, this became our go-to place in the junction. and their cupcakes were the best. the remodel just never made sense to me. it felt like they put butcher paper on the windows, changed to a blah name, while they did a minor paint job and removed 99% of the kids area. as a mom who LOVED this place, it felt like they were kicking out their core customers by removing the toys. if the remodel had felt more distinctive (big change in menu or decor) than I think it wouldn’t have felt like the same place without the toys. weird and hard.
So sad. They had the best tasting cupcakes in town. The “other place”- blah- no taste, literally.
I wish they would have played up their family friendliness not eliminated it. I used to take my kids there when they first opened but didn’t continue because they didn’t keep things very clean. I’m not even talking about the frosting coated toys. There was an inch of dust on everything above eye level. During my last visit I had to keep repeating, “look down, look down, look down,” in my head. Still, I’m sad to see them go, our family had some nice memories there.
I would visit this place periodically throughout the years. Sure gonna miss those cupcakes. Like so many have mentioned, they were way better than the one’s across the street. Never could understand why the across the street place is so popular.
My son practically grew up there! So many happy memories of playing trains, eating mini cup cakes, then going next door to see the kitties. They made a wonderful cake for my son’s birthday also. I went in recently for the first time in a while, and the remodel and name chsnge had totally taken the heart and soul out of the place. Sad to see it go!
Totally shocked…Wendy, what will you do????? HUGS to Jodi, August and staff.
I’ll miss this place…great place to show art work and they where very friendly to artists. And yes, as someone else has already said, they had the best cupcakes in the area by far.
Good luck to the future endeavors of those who made this place tick.
Sorry to hear it that it didn’t work out, but not really surprised after the remodel and attempt to draw a different demographic. Wish they would have chose to instead *enhance* the experience for parents/kids in the back and retired folks in the front. Who else has time at 10am on a Wednesday to buy coffee and cupcakes?? Missed opportunity for sure.
Noo! I’ll miss this place, though. I have to admit I’d only gone once since the remodel. I loved telecommunting from here on random days, and sitting in the big worn out chairs looking out the window on a rainy day. We also got our wedding cake from here last year which was delicious. I’d always thought it’d be a place to share w my son when he got older, but I guess not now. Bummer!
Apparently they didn’t sell enough cupcakes to stay in business any longer.
My husband and I had our first coffee date there 8 years ago. They made our wedding cake and my son’s first birthday cake. We will miss them.
Just to let all of the groupon users know the sale was to have all groupon’s end the first of June. “Groupon will refund any coupons that had been purchased outside of that date.”
oh laurie, i’m sure you’ll get over the loss of your precious “groupon”. I bet you’ll even find a new one that lets you save 45 cents on a cupcake elsewhere.
Sometimes change works– sometimes it doesn’t. When they became Junction Bakery & Cafe- promising more lunch fare in addition to the fab cupcakes- I was excited, but seeing the food offerings was so disappointing – not one thing appealed. I agree with everyone else- the BEST cupcakes hands down-maybe the cupcake craze is winding down- obviously they weren’t enough to keep it going.Thanks & good luck to all- the restaurant/ cafe/ food service business can be a tough one!
We’re sorry to see them go. They were always a nice place to hang out.
Interesting to hear the comments about the place become less child-friendly; it could be, of course, that the “child friendly” version of the place wasn’t profitable, what with parents and kids spending 4 hours there after purchasing one latte. Just sayin’; things aren’t always so obvious.
I’m so confused. Why does everyone keep saying, “the across the street place”? Their name is Cupcake Royale, and I actually prefer them. Sorry to see a small business go. Wish I’d known there were fewer kiddos in there after the remodel… it must’ve been a good place to write or study once the SUV double wide strollers no longer filled the place.
They made the best coffee, were so welcoming and, and my son took his first steps in the play area. I am sorry hear they are closing.
I have to agree, the best cupcakes. It is (was)a place to hang out and have coffee.
Yeah, I shouldn’t have complained about the Groupon. It’s just that after I bought it, I had two occasions that I needed to bring dessert for and both times I forgot to call 24 hours in advance, so I bought a dozen at normal price each time. I told myself, “It’s OK – I’ll use that Groupon before it expires!” and now I can’t. You can’t blame me for being crabby about it!
The cupcakes were always delicious. I’m sorry the bakery is closing.
I’m with flimflam on the GroupOn sentiments… If you think those things somehow “help” a business owner, you need to do some simple math. How many cupcakes and coffees do you need to sell in order to pay some $3000 a month for rent pluss NNN? Never mind paying your employees and a lot of taxes. Oh, and your precious kids sure aren’t buying enough lattes to pay the utility bills. Give me a break… Most of you whine about YOU – not the owner that poured her life into this place for 9 years.
Best of luck on your next chapter, Jodi.
Just to clarify, when I visited with my daughter, I always always purchased a lot of drink and food. For she and I. If you want to criticize families going to coffee shops with kids areas, one can say the same, or worse, about the guy with a PC who buys one cup of coffee and sits for hours. In either situation, you have to have a model that works and it is probably hard without more extensive food offerings.
My daughter and I sure loved going in and having a scone and a drink over a game of “Sorry!” before hitting the farmer’s market and Pegasus books. We will miss CTaT and wish Jodi and all the employees the best of luck.
After reading all of the comments, if a lot of parents used this bakery as a day care, no wonder they needed to change their business model. It’s not a judgment against parents taking their kids to a business that had a kid friendly area, but if parents only bought a cupcake and a hot chocolate and kids were playing, running and yelling for hours, it would be hard to stay in business!
Not a surprise. I am surprised it lasted this long. Recently I got a dozen of the most stale/hard/dry and most disgusting cupcakes I have ever had.
Wishing you the very best of luck and fun Jodi! Thank you for donating at least 2,500 mini cupcakes to WestSide Baby over the years, for having the very best place in the Junction for a “coffee meeting” and for being all-around great. I’m so glad this is all happening for good reasons, you’ve earned it. I know you probably found us a worthy new owner!! Happy gardening.
My daughter and I love this place. So sad to see it go. In my experience, they were always friendly and welcoming, before and after the remodel. I was actually quite relieved to see the majority of the…thoroughly enjoyed…toys go away. The train table and mini cupcakes made it a necessary stop when out at the junction with my preschooler. Good luck in the future.
I will miss this place. My son and I used to go there a LOT when he was little and just walking. The cupcakes were the best in the area BY FAR and I thought the staff was always kind and welcoming, even with little kids everywhere. I have often wished for more kid friendly places in West Seattle….there’s a huge need for it, and regardless of what people are saying above, whether you’re a single dude on his laptop or a mom with a small child, if you’re a responsible citizen you buy a few things from the establishment to make up for the time you’re there. Too bad they couldn’t figure out something like a small fee per hour you are there to offset the play area (what Twirl does on Queen Anne) because this place saw a lot of kids over the years. But the bakery is really what I will miss most and I hope they can find their footing elsewhere, maybe in a much smaller space where they can just sell their delicious baked creations! Good luck!
Wow! Jodi – I was one of your first baristas, and it was great! And, I continued to frequent over the years…best cupcakes, and fun place for my daughter to play. But, the best thing I got from Coffee To A Tea…I met my husband there! I thank you, and Shannon, for that! And, also, our dear friend Philip! My life would not be what it is today if I hadn’t seen your Craig’s List ad for a barista! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Sad to see you go! Sara
Loved them years ago, but when I was rudely kicked out last fall when my 1 year old screamed (I was leaving anyway) I vowed to never return. Then they took out the child friendly atmosphere and I knew it wouldn’t last long. I’m happy to see them go! Bring on a new (friendly) junction business:)
NOOOOOOOO! This can’t be happening. I have traveled the world looking for the best cupcakes on earth and they were always in my back yard! No matter where I went or what cupcake I tried, I always asked myself how it compared with Sugar Rush…and there was never one that compared. I am sooo sad!
Oh I’m thinking there is more to that story wsmom!!! Not one person I know ever thought they were unfriendly– to the contrary- they were super friendly- welcoming- especially to kids. Times change & as I recall they tried several things to bring in more business– music & wine in the evenings– change in food offerings etc. it’s unfortunate those things didn’t work – but friendliness was never a problem. Good luck to them & to whatever replaces them.
Wow, best cupcakes in West Seattle gone! (IMHO) I guess it’s one more reason why I’m glad I moved downtown full time.
Best if luck to you Jodi. It’s been a pleasure working with you over the past few years.
Will miss this place for sure – had great cakes.
But to be honest – once they took all of the toys away, have not been there. With no place for my little guy to play, the incentive was gone.
WS really needs a toddler gym/cafe concept to open!!
Wishing all of the Junction Cafe staff much luck in the future.
The kids play area was the best, and the artwork, and, well, I’m just sad to hear it’s closing. Thank you for providing such a great space (and food)!
Shocked and sad; this was one of my favorite places for coffee! The cupcakes and scones were a delight, both my husband and I had favorites. The remodel was odd to me, and I did notice the place tended to be more empty without the good kids place in the back. Even the front felt more empty. Some of the changes were good, but I guess it was time to end. Too bad. I will always remember the place as “Coffee to a Tea With Sugar”; although a long name, it was distinctive and fitting.
I wish the owners and staff well.
I’m already missing what has become a weekend routine of coffee, reading, writing or just hanging out in a place I always found warm and welcoming. Thanks Jodi and team for creating a sense of second home for many of your regulars. I’ll miss you all and wish you all wonderful and fulfilling next chapters.
Some of you have gotten the reason for closing right on the mark. It wasn’t the remodel or removal of nasty kids toys. They even painted the train table to make it look better and kept it. An establishment that serves food can’t have dirty chairs and toys, just gross. What is wrong with bringing books to sit quietly and read to your kids that were always welcome as long as they were well behaved and monitored by their parent or guardian. Some kids would scream at the top of their lungs and their folks would let them. Why does a café have to allow that when it isn’t fair for all of the other people trying to enjoy a bit of relaxation. The problem wasn’t the kids it was their attendees not attending them. I was there one day when one of the gals had to ask the parent to have their child stop screaming and she got upset! Really?! This would have been a perfect opportunity to teach your child how to behave in public!
Bottom line is that it takes a lot of coffee and cupcakes to make rent and a profit! Simple math.
Stopped by the other day to have a knit ‘n’ bitch with a friend and was so so so heartbroken to see Coffee to a Tea’s doors closed. CtaT, I spent oh so many hours sitting in a chair reading a book, sharing a table playing sorry, or just having a nice conversation and a nice cupcake. You guys will be missed!
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