Though Seattlites had valid reasons behind claiming their town the capital of the indie music world many were unhappy with the attention. The M's and the Sonics solidified themselves as perennial under-achievers. Carissa's Weird broke up. And while the Seahawks were playoff- bound, January brought visions of Matt Hasselbeck in the snow, throwing interceptions.
A lackluster beginning, until a little coffee shop called Victrola opened up on 15th Avenue East, reminding the town that Seattle still had its coffee. Now with two locations - the other is on East Pike Street - the world has started to take notice of Capitol Hill's not-so-hidden secret.
Forbes Traveler named it to its list of 10 Hottest Coffeehouses recently, and Food Network-darling Giada De Laurentiis even brought her show there.
So there was some surprise when Victrola owners Jen Strongin and Chris Sharp, a husband-and-wife team, sold their two stores in February to Dan Ollis, owner of the Whidbey Coffee Company. Ollis says that the store will keep its name and current staff, offering the same products and services.
"[Whidbey Coffee Co.] has a different reputation than Victrola, but I've gotten a month under my belt already," said Ollis, who has been working with both Strongin and Sharp. The three will continue working together during the transition until the end of April. "I have been looking to get into the downtown Seattle market for a few years."
Ollis opened his first Whidbey Coffee Co. store in 1989, and has since expanded with more than 10 locations throughout Island, Snohomish and Skagit counties. The closest the roasters have come to Seattle was at their Shoreline Community College location, which closed earlier in the month. Their corporate offices are on Whidbey Island.
"Chris and I are very proud of what we accomplished with Victrola and are happy to have found someone to buy our business who will keep it Victrola and continue to grow it while keeping it true to its roots," said Jen Strongin in an e-mail response. "As for us, we are looking forward to being able to spend more time with our 1-year-old son and have more flexibility to be with our families on the East Coast."
According to Citysearch, Victrola ranks among the highest-rated coffeehouses at four-and-a-half stars. The café has become a mainstay among artists - housing local music acts in the evenings, displaying local and national artwork and playing host to coffee tastings. Ollis said that the business will remain the same under his ownership.
"[Victrola] really has something great going on, and I don't want to take anything away from it," he said. "My staff told me not to change a thing, and I don't plan on it."
Strongin and Sharp will continue to serve in consultant-type roles, and Ollis said the two can continue helping out "as long as they would like to." Ollis would not release details of the transaction.
"Whidbey Coffee Co. will be completely separate from Victrola," he said. "The fundamentals and the quality of the coffee won't be changed."
Ollis did indicate that he hopes to expand Victrola beyond its two locations. And he is currently sending Victrola employees on exploration of Guatemalan coffee farms as a commitment to coffee sustainability.
"I am happy to have the opportunity to grow one side of [his business] and learn and realize the potentials of Victrola. Jen and Chris have been phenomenal throughout the process, and I hope to understand their visions," Ollis said.
Victrola has locations at 411 15th Ave. E. and 310 E. Pike St. For more information visit www.victrolacoffee.com or www.whid beycoffee.com.
Freelance writer Josh Sobrowsky can be reached at editor@capitolhill times.com.
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