Arson-gutted coffee house rises from ashes
SEATTLE - One business that was torched in the Greenwood neighborhood is already rising from the ashes.
The Green Bean Coffee House is back in business - thanks to customers and neighbors who weren't about to let it close.
For the crowds of customers who showed up Saturday morning, the nonprofit coffee house isn't just another cup of joe.
Christine Canty says the operators are "people who really care about global issues and issues in the community."
The huge Oct. 23 fire that ate up four businesses was started behind the Green Bean, and many feared it would be the end of the meeting spot.
But that wasn't about to happen - people rallied.
"It's been a really encouraging three weeks in the midst of what could have been a really hard time," says Summer Mohrlang, who runs the coffee house.
The Greenwood Sip and Ship up the street offered the Green Bean a new home.
Meanwhile, another business hit by the arsonist, the Olive You restaurant, is giving "the Bean" its old furniture to be cleaned and reused.
"It's great," says volunteer John Eidson. "There are people - strangers - here every day that live in the community, coming in helping gather cups, clean out the new space, put in chairs. Just whatever it takes."
Part of Saturday morning's celebration was "group mugging" - customers were asked to donate a coffee mug.
Volunteer Amy Moses says, "We're collecting mugs to replenish our stock from the fire that took all of our cute, creative mugs."
A community group also handed out checks to four business destroyed by the arsonist. Each business received a check for $1,000 from the Greenwood Fire Relief Fund.
Before the fire, the Green Bean Coffee House never made any money for itself.
"So many people, but it's been great to see so many of our friends back again," Mohrlang says.
The Green Bean Coffee House is back in business - thanks to customers and neighbors who weren't about to let it close.
For the crowds of customers who showed up Saturday morning, the nonprofit coffee house isn't just another cup of joe.
Christine Canty says the operators are "people who really care about global issues and issues in the community."
The huge Oct. 23 fire that ate up four businesses was started behind the Green Bean, and many feared it would be the end of the meeting spot.
But that wasn't about to happen - people rallied.
"It's been a really encouraging three weeks in the midst of what could have been a really hard time," says Summer Mohrlang, who runs the coffee house.
The Greenwood Sip and Ship up the street offered the Green Bean a new home.
Meanwhile, another business hit by the arsonist, the Olive You restaurant, is giving "the Bean" its old furniture to be cleaned and reused.
"It's great," says volunteer John Eidson. "There are people - strangers - here every day that live in the community, coming in helping gather cups, clean out the new space, put in chairs. Just whatever it takes."
Part of Saturday morning's celebration was "group mugging" - customers were asked to donate a coffee mug.
Volunteer Amy Moses says, "We're collecting mugs to replenish our stock from the fire that took all of our cute, creative mugs."
A community group also handed out checks to four business destroyed by the arsonist. Each business received a check for $1,000 from the Greenwood Fire Relief Fund.
Before the fire, the Green Bean Coffee House never made any money for itself.
"So many people, but it's been great to see so many of our friends back again," Mohrlang says.
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