NOW OPEN: Dutchboy Coffee in Highland Park

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By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

First thing this morning, two hours before dawn and six degrees below freezing, Jenni Watkins officially opened Dutchboy Coffee at 16th SW and SW Holden.

She has big dreams for her little coffee shop at Highland Park’s busiest intersection.

And it has a big namesake – Dutch, the 8-year-old Newfoundland who belongs to Jenni and husband Todd Watkins. Or maybe, they belong to him. He won’t be a fixture at the stand that carries his name and likeness – but they wanted him to be there for our photo op and interview on this grand-opening morning.

“He’s brought us a lot of friends,” laughed Jenni. “We didn’t know half our neighbors” before that.

Things have changed. This morning, she says, almost everyone on their block came by to be part of Dutchboy Coffee’s opening day.

“We just love our neighborhood,” Jenni smiles. A neighbor, in fact, did the design work for their signage and menu.

Dutchboy Coffee is the first business for Jenni and Todd, who also helped build the stand – while you might recall that other coffee stands (JoJo’s and Jenny’s) used to be in that spot, this is a brand-new structure, with custom features added to a modular building.

Jenni and Todd have lived in Highland Park since 2004 and “decided we’d like to work with the community.” Dutchboy is starting simple, with coffee (Fonté) and pastries (Little Rae’s), and planning to build on that – Jenni is working toward baking for herself within six months or so (that requires a whole different level of permit), and hoping to add sandwiches someday.

When warmer weather arrives, tables and chairs will appear in the space between the Dutchboy stand and the commercial building that shares the site on the southeast corner of 16th/Holden.

For starters, Dutchboy’s hours are 6 am-2 pm Mondays-Fridays. That could change; Jenni will be listening to customers’ suggestions and requests. And in the meantime, their main message is on a board by the stand’s front window: “Welcome to Your Dutchboy!”

20 Replies to "NOW OPEN: Dutchboy Coffee in Highland Park"

  • Ariana January 13, 2017 (10:46 am)

    WELCOME!  

    Though I am a 6’3″ 200lb “scary” looking dude, I am little Ariana on the inside and the white center business district on 16th terrifies me.  Glad there is another option.  See ya around.  Looking forward to your success and the possibility of weekend hours.  no pressure though ;)

  • Ann January 13, 2017 (11:16 am)

    Congrats to you two and the Dutchboy! 

  • Alyxx January 13, 2017 (11:37 am)

    I’ve been watching the construction, but of course today was running late and couldn’t stop. I’ll fix that soon!!!!!!!

    Welcome to the neighborhood!

  • Erithan January 13, 2017 (12:29 pm)

    Welcome, good coffee choice! Haven’t seen fonte’ in awhile, a fav=)

  • coffee January 13, 2017 (1:18 pm)

    Congratulations!  Its nice to see small local coffee spots.  Good choices on food and beans.

    • Dutch January 21, 2017 (5:14 pm)

      Neighbor,

      thank you for your support.

      I am trying to see what people want; coffee, beverages and pastries.  It’s important to the Dutchboy and for you to create and provide the best.  Offer honest feedback so I can make you the coffee you crave. Your experience should be special.

  • Ed Slope January 13, 2017 (5:02 pm)

    Not to be confused with the Dutch Bros. coffee chain out of Oregon.

    • WSB January 13, 2017 (5:55 pm)

      Nope, this is all local. The chain you mention is moving ever-closer, though … opening soon in Renton.

      • Sarah Frt January 14, 2017 (11:39 am)

        WSB do you happen to have anymore info on Dutch Brothers opening in Renton as to when there opening?  This is such great news. I’m from Grants Pass, OR where this business started.

        • WSB January 14, 2017 (12:10 pm)

          Yeah, we are fans when out of town – if we go to Portland or the ocean coast, we run through their Lacey outpost. I just happened to spot the Renton stand under construction a few weeks ago, in the commercial area east of the Wal-Mart. No projected date yet per this post. But they opened somewhere in Everett recently…

          • Tim January 17, 2017 (8:37 am)

            WSB,

            Any news on the empty lot  at this intersection?  I think it might be owned by the city, and there was a propsed land use sign on it for awhile.  Would be nice to have another  walk able business in the area, or mixed use building.

            As for the coffee, the more the better.  See you soon.

          • WSB January 17, 2017 (8:56 am)

            We’ve reported on it several times in the past year or so. Toplines: City Light still owns it but wants to unload it. It’s zoned residential. Community advocates have asked the city to consider rezoning it for commercial development. No currently pending action on any front that I know of. Will inquire when out from under some current urgencies.

  • Brenda January 13, 2017 (6:01 pm)

    We want to get coffee tomorrow!!! Is it true they are not open on the weekends? :(

    • Dutch January 21, 2017 (5:05 pm)

      Brenda,

      I am planning on opening weekends soon. I will let everyone know.  I truly can’t thank our community enough.  Dutch and I hope to meet you soon.

      🐶☕️Jenni

  • Sarah Frt January 14, 2017 (4:37 pm)

    WSB Thank you for the information! 

  • Andi January 14, 2017 (6:06 pm)

    Yay! Welcome! As a Highland Park native (though living in Arbor Heights now!) I am thrilled to see a great looking place to try open.

  • AH Family January 14, 2017 (7:05 pm)

    Love your beautiful little building and your beautiful dog, the original Dutchboy!  Will be sure to make the trek from Arbor Heights very soon to come try your certainly awesome Fonte’ coffee.  Wishing you only the very best in your brave new venture!

  • Mere January 23, 2017 (4:17 pm)

    Congrats Jenni and Todd!  Good luck in your new endeavor! 

  • L January 23, 2017 (11:11 pm)

    Congrats! Will you have whole beans available for purchase? My Montana mama LOVES the Fonte decaf and it’d be nice to have a closer and more convenient  source than downtown! Looking forward to visiting! Ciao 

    • Dutch January 24, 2017 (8:06 am)

      Good daughter,

      Presently I do not sell Fonte beans.  If you call me 2 days ahead I will have those beans for you.

      Call me anytime: Jenni 206-295-9070

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