FOLLOWUP: Tully’s Coffee facing evictions, week and a half after sudden Alki shutdown

It’s been a week and a half since Tully’s Coffee on Alki suddenly shut down, posting signs describing the closure as temporary. While the neon OPEN sign has continued glowing in the front window, the shop remains closed. Hours after our report, The Seattle Times reported Tully’s was closing all its shops, telling staffers it was because they were out of coffee. But other troubles seem to have percolated in the meantime. Reader Paul sent us images of a “pay rent or vacate” notice he reported seeing on the shop door Thursday evening; it said parent company Global Baristas hadn’t paid March rent, and that they had to pay $5,103 or vacate within three days, or else court action would be pursued for eviction. That’s already happened for some other Tully’s locations; court records show “unlawful detainer” complaints filed for two more just this week, in the 625 Union Station building on the south end of downtown and at 1171 NW Sammamish Road in Issaquah.

Joe March 17, 2018 (10:42 pm)

“other troubles seem to have percolated…”

Very droll indeed. You might even say their beans have been roasted.

WSB March 17, 2018 (11:01 pm)

Not attempting to make light of this, as it could mean a lot of loss for a lot of people … not just the loss of a beloved “third place” for fans of this shop, for example, but also the job losses, the potential loss of rent income for the buildings’ owners, etc. … but it seemed to make sense. The verb’s coffee association is admittedly arcane, anyway … do percolating coffeemakers even exist any more? It was only that or instant coffee when I was young, but that’s been a looooong pre-espresso time.
- Judy March 18, 2018 (4:20 pm)
  
  I only make percolated coffee at home. It’s hot, perks quickly, from fresh roasted beans, tastes good. I’ve still been able to buy percolorators when my old ones wear out, which isn’t often. That said, I did enjoy going to Alki Tully’s.

KD March 17, 2018 (10:47 pm)

… ‘percolate’ 😆🤣☕️

rob March 18, 2018 (2:24 am)

i’m sure it applies to many other locations as well, but the shop i stop at in bothell on my way home from work is closed as well, posting a sign worded similarly to this.

sbre March 18, 2018 (9:29 am)

Does anybody else see the connection between Tully’s owner Michael Avenatti who is also the attorney for Story Daniels as being the possible ‘smoking bean’ behind their new troubles?

Maybe it is just a coincidence, but like the ‘actress’ herself, it’s one that draws attention.

IMHO

WSB March 18, 2018 (9:58 am)

If you follow the link to the Times story, one spokesperson claimed he isn’t an owner any more. But he was definitely reported to be part of the group that took over in 2013.
- CMT March 18, 2018 (3:29 pm)
  
  I believe Avenatti simply formed a subsidiary to be the direct owner and that he owns the subsidiary.

flimflam March 18, 2018 (10:32 am)

the whole “we’re out of coffee” thing was pretty odd and certainly a very bad sign if true.

Ktrapp March 18, 2018 (11:20 am)

I just hope the employees are able to collect unemployment by now. Dragging this out by claiming it’s just a temporary closure, when this is pretty much standard closing procedure for the average Tully’s store, isn’t helping anyone.

What a strange way for a company to go out of business. Why they don’t just officially pull the plug, rather than force each landlord to initiate eviction procedures is beyond me.

Swede. March 18, 2018 (1:35 pm)

Five grand in rent there is cheap for Seattle nowadays! Especially with that location.

ACG March 18, 2018 (10:36 pm)

That’s what I was thinking, too!

DR March 19, 2018 (3:30 pm)

I think I’m out $50 on my Tully’s loyalty card :(

Red March 22, 2018 (1:22 pm)

I loved my Tully’s because they were the underdog, competing hard with the giant competition across the street. Very sad for all the employees, and for people like me who don’t want to patronize huge corporations.

Sorry, comment time is over.