{"id":5458,"date":"2025-02-11T02:40:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T02:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.macrinabakery.com\/blog\/?p=5458"},"modified":"2025-02-11T02:41:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T02:41:46","slug":"zeitgeist-a-community-powered-coffee-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.macrinabakery.com\/blog\/zeitgeist-a-community-powered-coffee-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Zeitgeist: A Community-Powered Coffee House\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Over Macrina pastries and Fulcrum coffee, customers gather in the high-ceilinged, art-filled space, one of Pioneer Square\u2019s crown jewels for over 25 years.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the pandemic hammered Seattle, Zeitgeist Coffee<\/a> \u2014 a beloved fixture in Pioneer Square \u2014 had to close its doors for six long months. For caf\u00e9 manager Leesa Kunke, watching the place sit empty was unbearable. She\u2019d 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founder and artist Bryan Yeck saw her dedication. \u201cIf this were your shop, you\u2019d be open,\u201d he told her. Leesa didn\u2019t hesitate. \u201cI was just sitting at home learning that I could get alcohol delivered \u2014 which is not ideal,\u201d she recalls with a laugh. \u201cI needed something to do.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Determined to revive the caf\u00e9, Leesa volunteered to help Bryan reopen with limited hours \u2014 even without pay. Her presence was a game-changer. Within days, Bryan admitted, \u201cI couldn\u2019t do this by myself.\u201d Then came the life-altering offer: \u201cIf you want to buy this, let\u2019s figure it out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leesa had just enough savings to purchase the business but hadn\u2019t considered the hefty operating costs. When Bryan informed her she\u2019d need an additional $30,000 for the first month\u2019s expenses, she was at a loss. A county employee \u2014 a regular customer \u2014 suggested starting a GoFundMe campaign, assuring her, \u201cPeople love this spot. People love you. They will donate money.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skeptical but hopeful, Leesa launched the fundraiser in December 2020. To her amazement, she raised $32,000 in four weeks. \u201cThe outpouring of support was overwhelming,\u201d she says, emotion in her voice. \u201cPeople wrote little notes like, \u2018This is my favorite coffee shop. So happy it\u2019s going to stay open.\u2019 It was heartwarming to have all these people say, \u2018We want this to be here.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Founded in 1997, Zeitgeist Coffee has been a cornerstone of Seattle\u2019s Pioneer Square for over 25 years. Established as a space for art, conversation, and community, the caf\u00e9 truly embodies its namesake \u2014 \u201cthe spirit of the times.\u201d With its European-style coffee, excellent pastries, bagels, and that inviting atmosphere, Zeitgeist has become an anchor in one of the city\u2019s oldest neighborhoods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housed in classic Pioneer Square brick architecture, the caf\u00e9 features European-inspired interior elements: newsstand, expansive glass windows, intricate metalwork. \u201cBryan built all of this,\u201d Leesa says, gesturing around. \u201cPeople ask about that little stand-up table in the middle. They say, \u2018Is that from a bank?\u2019 And I say, \u2018No, the old owner designed and built that.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The design captures historical charm with an intellectual vibe. It\u2019s a place where art and culture thrive \u2014 hosting neighborhood art walks, live music, readings, film screenings. \u201cWe have so many regulars,\u201d Leesa notes. \u201cIt\u2019s a really awesome community down here.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Serving a diverse crowd \u2014 King County employees, lawyers, architects, firefighters, sports fans, travelers, artists, residents \u2014 Zeitgeist is more than just a caf\u00e9; it\u2019s a communal space where relationships are built and nurtured. Leesa cherishes the connections. \u201cThis caf\u00e9 isn\u2019t just a business \u2014 it\u2019s part of people\u2019s lives,\u201d she emphasizes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Part of Zeitgeist\u2019s success lies in its partnership with Macrina Bakery. \u201cMacrina is really a cornerstone for us,\u201d Leesa explains. \u201cThey deliver the bread we use for all our sandwiches, and the majority of our pastries come from Macrina.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s more than just the products. \u201cWhat really stands out about Macrina is the consistency and the people,\u201d she says. \u201cThe products are always fresh, and the kindness of the people on the phone is exceptional. I call almost every day \u2014 sometimes multiple times \u2014 and everyone is always super friendly, laughing at me for calling four times a day.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Macrina introduced bagels in 2020, it felt like fate. \u201cI needed bagels but couldn\u2019t meet the minimum from my previous purveyor. Here was Macrina saving the day again. People love their bagels.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Leesa, aligning with companies that share her values is essential. \u201cWorking with nice people \u2014 not just as a business owner, but as an individual giving my money to people I like and respect \u2014 is huge for me,\u201d she notes. \u201cI don\u2019t want to pay money to companies where I don\u2019t know anybody; it\u2019s just this faceless interaction.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over Macrina pastries and Fulcrum coffee, customers gather in the high-ceilinged, art-filled space, one of Pioneer Square\u2019s crown jewels for over 25 years. When the pandemic hammered Seattle, Zeitgeist Coffee \u2014 a beloved fixture in Pioneer Square \u2014 had to … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nZeitgeist: A Community-Powered Coffee House\u00a0 - Macrina Bakery Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.macrinabakery.com\/blog\/zeitgeist-a-community-powered-coffee-house\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Zeitgeist: A Community-Powered Coffee House\u00a0 - Macrina Bakery Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Over Macrina pastries and Fulcrum coffee, customers gather in the high-ceilinged, art-filled space, one of Pioneer Square\u2019s crown jewels for over 25 years. 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