Over Macrina pastries and Fulcrum coffee, customers gather in the high-ceilinged, art-filled space, one of Pioneer Square’s crown jewels for over 25 years.
When the pandemic hammered Seattle, Zeitgeist Coffee — a beloved fixture in Pioneer Square — had to close its doors for six long months. For café manager Leesa Kunke, watching the place sit empty was unbearable. She’d started there as a barista back in 2001, dedicating nearly two decades to nurturing this community hub, all while earning a degree in Communication focused on human interaction from Seattle University.
Founder and artist Bryan Yeck saw her dedication. “If this were your shop, you’d be open,” he told her. Leesa didn’t hesitate. “I was just sitting at home learning that I could get alcohol delivered — which is not ideal,” she recalls with a laugh. “I needed something to do.”
Determined to revive the café, Leesa volunteered to help Bryan reopen with limited hours — even without pay. Her presence was a game-changer. Within days, Bryan admitted, “I couldn’t do this by myself.” Then came the life-altering offer: “If you want to buy this, let’s figure it out.”
Leesa had just enough savings to purchase the business but hadn’t considered the hefty operating costs. When Bryan informed her she’d need an additional $30,000 for the first month’s expenses, she was at a loss. A county employee — a regular customer — suggested starting a GoFundMe campaign, assuring her, “People love this spot. People love you. They will donate money.”
Skeptical but hopeful, Leesa launched the fundraiser in December 2020. To her amazement, she raised $32,000 in four weeks. “The outpouring of support was overwhelming,” she says, emotion in her voice. “People wrote little notes like, ‘This is my favorite coffee shop. So happy it’s going to stay open.’ It was heartwarming to have all these people say, ‘We want this to be here.’”
Founded in 1997, Zeitgeist Coffee has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s Pioneer Square for over 25 years. Established as a space for art, conversation, and community, the café truly embodies its namesake — “the spirit of the times.” With its European-style coffee, excellent pastries, bagels, and that inviting atmosphere, Zeitgeist has become an anchor in one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.
Housed in classic Pioneer Square brick architecture, the café features European-inspired interior elements: newsstand, expansive glass windows, intricate metalwork. “Bryan built all of this,” Leesa says, gesturing around. “People ask about that little stand-up table in the middle. They say, ‘Is that from a bank?’ And I say, ‘No, the old owner designed and built that.’”
The design captures historical charm with an intellectual vibe. It’s a place where art and culture thrive — hosting neighborhood art walks, live music, readings, film screenings. “We have so many regulars,” Leesa notes. “It’s a really awesome community down here.”
Serving a diverse crowd — King County employees, lawyers, architects, firefighters, sports fans, travelers, artists, residents — Zeitgeist is more than just a café; it’s a communal space where relationships are built and nurtured. Leesa cherishes the connections. “This café isn’t just a business — it’s part of people’s lives,” she emphasizes.
Part of Zeitgeist’s success lies in its partnership with Macrina Bakery. “Macrina is really a cornerstone for us,” Leesa explains. “They deliver the bread we use for all our sandwiches, and the majority of our pastries come from Macrina.”
But it’s more than just the products. “What really stands out about Macrina is the consistency and the people,” she says. “The products are always fresh, and the kindness of the people on the phone is exceptional. I call almost every day — sometimes multiple times — and everyone is always super friendly, laughing at me for calling four times a day.”
When Macrina introduced bagels in 2020, it felt like fate. “I needed bagels but couldn’t meet the minimum from my previous purveyor. Here was Macrina saving the day again. People love their bagels.”
For Leesa, aligning with companies that share her values is essential. “Working with nice people — not just as a business owner, but as an individual giving my money to people I like and respect — is huge for me,” she notes. “I don’t want to pay money to companies where I don’t know anybody; it’s just this faceless interaction.”
