Coffee closure

Thanks to the WSB reader who sent e-mail to call to our attention the fact that, not long after its sale, Carosello Coffee (former Coffee Shoppe, former Casablanca) on 35th north of Holden is closed. Handwritten sign on its door says NEW OWNERSHIP, WILL REOPEN SOON. The business next door (also recently sold) has already changed from Koze to Northwest Montessori (which used to be on the grounds of the former Calvary Lutheran Church at 35th/Cloverdale, now Life Church Ministries, the congregation, previously known as Gatewood Baptist before selling its Cali/Othello building to developers who resold it to Seattle International Church … whew, sounds like a soap-opera recap).

TD August 7, 2007 (11:48 am)

totally doomed location, never had a soul – needs a total overhaul and someone to re-do interior to make it appealing. Note to new owners: you cannot run a coffee shop these days that serves seattle’s best coffee –

pops August 7, 2007 (12:56 pm)

Yeah, when it comes to coffee it’s no coincidence that SBC rhymes with MJB. However when last a Carasello a couple of months ago they were serving some sort of exotic brand I’d never heard of and it was great. The fella behind the counter was very courteous and the the pasteries were upscale.

It’s the location. You feel like you’re taking your life into your hands just to park and get out of the car.

Jen V. August 7, 2007 (1:03 pm)

hmm… I used to work there about 10 years ago when it was Casablanca. We never had a shortage of customers in the morning who would stop in front- or there is also parking in back. I agree with TD that there is no soul there. I felt more like I was working in a retail store that just happened to sell bad coffee. Yes, we served the dreaded SBC as well. I heard the owners of this most recent incarnation were the same owners as KOZE and they are currently in hiding from the law and creditors. Can anyone clarify that? another little nugget from my past at Casablanca- the house that housed KOZE used to be a suspected crackhouse….

Forest August 7, 2007 (1:23 pm)

Joke understood, but the rhyme with MJB actually is purely coincidental. SBC was a local company known for years as “Stewart Brothers Coffee” before it upsized to declaring itself Seattle’s Best.

Heather August 7, 2007 (2:37 pm)

I feel the need to defend them even though I’ve only been a few times–there’s plenty of parking around back in an actual lot. No need to risk your life.

Coffee geek August 7, 2007 (3:18 pm)

Several problems with Carosello, but I don’t think locale is one. Inconsistent baristas, high turnover, poor barista skillz overall (especially in THE coffee city). Koze logo’d mugs with a weird assortment of self-help/biz books on the shelves. If they approached the consistency and quality of a Ladro, perhaps I would have found myself there at least 3 times a week. Too much gossip behind the counter, and “how’s your day going so far?” at 6 am. The motto on the front, “Where your experience is all that matters” is a bit strange for a cafe. They did use Cafe Umbra (locally roasted, I think). If I were king the place would turn into a good quality coffee/beer pub.

Kristi August 7, 2007 (4:22 pm)

I just moved here (from Florida) and have been enjoying sampling all the fine coffee offerings in West Seattle (thanks in part to all the helpful info on the WSB!) and I’m just curious about the comment above: is SBC generally held in contempt by locals?

Sage August 7, 2007 (4:23 pm)

Based on the above comment, I hereby nominate Coffee geek as king!

This place oughtta be successful, with many many houses in easy walking distance (even more as High Point slowly fills in over the next years), a major bus-stop right there for morning traffic, and no competition whatsoever on the 35th Ave corridor. The forumula seems pretty straightforward: a good cup of coffee plus a decent place to sit plus outlets for laptops & wifi and they’re set — just like every other one of the million and a half successful independent coffee shops in Seattle. Why was this so hard for Casablanca/Carosello? Will it be any easier for the new place?

At the very least, can we lose a few exclamation points from the sign as a community beautification exercise? It’d be a great gesture from the new owner…

Nate August 7, 2007 (4:32 pm)

Jen V, I’ve heard the same that the previous owner of Koze & Carosello is running from creditors. The furniture business is pretty sketchy to begin with, which is where the guy started before buying the shop. Didn’t help his situation that the shop couldn’t make a decent cup of coffee.

Westwood res August 7, 2007 (5:45 pm)

The former Koze owners only had that shop as a side biz for the one that bought and flipped houses. They sold the furniture they staged the houses with at Koze. Then they bought the coffee shop and clearly had no restaurant experience, so that may have overextended them. I also saw a large continent of their house crew at one of the houses that was not quite done at showing and wonder if that may be some of the legal issue-hiring possibly unskilled and illegal labor?

Jan August 7, 2007 (6:52 pm)

Kristi…I don’t know how SBC is regarded by citizens here. Most buy Starbucks, which I can’t stand. SBC started out as Stewart Bros. Coffee, and was roasted on Vashon Island. I remember going over and watching their provess. Then Starbucks grew, and they became rivals, and changed the name to Seattle’s Best Coffee….then, if I recall correctly, it was bought by none other than Starbucks….so…there you go…no need to hate it..consider the source. My personal opinion is that Starbucks is a bit over roasted for me. I like the organic Ladro Blend that I get delivered by Pioneer Organics (along with my organic veggies).

Oliver August 7, 2007 (8:31 pm)

I live a block from Carosello/Casablanca. I was so excited that there was a coffee shop right there when we first moved here from Capitol Hill. I’m such an addict I’d be there every day, except that whoever has owned it has never been able to make a decent cup of cofee and there has never been a comfortable place to get some work done. I tried Carosello thinking the new owners may have improved it, but I swore off it when the staff spent so much time chatting with each other that the shot went bad and I was running late.

If the new owners are lurking: the recipe for success is simple. Make the atmosphere inviting. That meets comfortable tables and chairs, no lava lamps and uncomfortable stools. Add some baristas who know what their doing with a decent roast and you’re in business.

Jiggers August 7, 2007 (9:43 pm)

Really, are we going to miss another shutdown coffee joint in Seatttle….please!!

Lou August 7, 2007 (9:43 pm)

Just serve good, consistent, hot coffee and make the seating comfortable. Those lousy, hideous looking bench seats are very uncomfortable…get rid of them. DO NOT SELL Self Help books…Geez, who wants to see ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ staring at you when you are digging the lose change out of your pocket to pay for the cup of coffee. And yes, double it up as a brew pub and I’ll live there…seriously!

chas redmond August 7, 2007 (10:38 pm)

To the new owners, we hope you’re reading West Seattle Blog and taking notes. That stretch of 35th badly – badly – needs a good coffee house. There’s plenty of examples – Rozella in White Center, Ladro just south of Morgan, Hot Wire next to the Junction Post Office, Uptown Espresso – both locations, Junction and Delridge, Alki Bakery, even the Admiral Starbucks and the Alki Tully’s are good examples of how TO run a corporate spot. So, good coffee – preferably a reliable local brew (Umbria, Lighthouse, Vita, there’s plenty of choices), free WiFI, comfortable chairs arranged so small groups can converse or do business and a few tables for those with laptops and paper and some baristas who know what they’re doing and attend to the customers and not each other.

Hell, model if after Elliot Bay Cafe down in Pioneer Square or Cherry Street Coffee or All City Cafe.

(I know I didn’t list all the good indies in WS, just was using some better known examples).

magpie August 8, 2007 (10:53 am)

I live just a few blocks from there as well and want to add my vote for the good coffee/brew pub! Hire people that are over 16, don’t have your children work the counter, wi-fi, everything that the previous posters have said.

I frequently went to Carosello in spite of the bad coffee, inconsistant service, stale baked goods issues since I catch the bus right out front and there aren’t any other options nearby.

Oscar August 8, 2007 (11:06 am)

I live practically within sight of Carosello. I tried and tried to give them my business since it is such a quick walk. However, the service and product were both just bad. I order lattes and they were consistantly cold. The staff was chatty (to each other, not customers). It was very slow to get your order. It is just not suprising that the place had to close. I will give the new owners a try and hope for their sucess.

I like the brew pub idea, too. Having kids, I also would love it if they had a kid-friendly area.