Coffee TAB is preparing to open its third Seattle café in the former Starbucks at 2300 S. Jackson St. in the Central District, according to a recent announcement shared on the company’s Instagram.
Founder Johnathan Tran told What Now Seattle the new location is expected to open in mid-to-late August. The expansion will allow the nonprofit to grow its paid barista apprenticeship program.
“We’ve been operating for about three years, and the more time goes on, the more organizations start to notice what we do with our barista apprenticeship program. We do have a wait list of students who can benefit from our program,” Tran said.
Coffee TAB operates as both a specialty coffee shop and workforce development organization, providing paid barista training, mentorship, résumé and interview preparation, and career development for young adults facing barriers to employment. Each new café creates additional opportunities for apprentices.
“Our first location opened and we proved that our training program works and that the community supported us through coming in and buying coffee and becoming regulars. When we launched the second location, we were able to increase our number of participants through the program. And then with that kind of pattern is when we decided to launch our third location.”
The idea behind Coffee TAB is deeply personal for Tran.
“I grew up in Minnesota, and my parents were refugees of the Vietnam War. I kind of fall into that demographic of at-risk or underserved young people.” After couch surfing as a young adult, Tran got his first job at a corporate coffee chain, where he discovered the role cafés can play in bringing people together.
“I fell in love with the idea of coffee and how coffee shops can be a focal point for community. I work with underserved young people because I fell in that demographic. I think there’s a layer where I’m able to relate.”
The Central District location will also introduce something new to Coffee TAB’s coffee program. Tran said the organization recently received a donated coffee roaster, allowing the café to begin roasting small batches in house.
“We’ll be able to start implementing small-batch in-house roasting. Some folks are wanting to work, but they’re not comfortable with a customer-facing job. So we’re able to provide opportunities through the new variable of this coffee roaster.”
Tran said those opportunities have already changed lives. He recalled one apprentice who joined the program through a YWCA work-study initiative and has since become Coffee TAB’s acting general manager, demonstrating the kind of long-term growth the organization hopes to create.
As Coffee TAB continues to grow, Tran said community support remains important to expanding the apprenticeship program and creating opportunities for more young adults. In addition to purchasing coffee, supporters can also contribute through donations.
For updates on the Central District opening, follow Coffee TAB on Instagram.
