about q cafe
Q Cafe is located at 3223 15th Avenue West [just South of Ballard Bridge]. Our hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Thursday (summer hours). We host an OPEN MIC on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:30 pm. On Fridays we are open 8 am-5pm and then re-open at 7.30pm for Live Music [shows begin at 8pm]. Q Cafe is non-profit neighborhood cafe in Seattle featuring direct trade espresso, loose leaf tea, live music, art, and community events.
We proudly serve Stumptown Coffee; support local artists and musicians through our art gallery and live music venue; host many groups through the rental of our space; host community events; help collect resources for the homeless community; and give back 10% of all cafe sales to local and global non-profit causes. In addition to great coffee and tea, Q Cafe also features free WiFi for laptop users, 2 desktop kiosks for internet [30 minutes/purchase], a new kids' room for parents and children, countertop tables and benches for laptop user with easy access to outlets, a piano, and plenty of comfy chairs and sofas.
Q Cafe is a neighborhood community that seeks to care more than just the bottom line. While desiring to be a great cafe with great coffee and tea, we also want to be committed both to the local community and global world. Because of this commitment, there are three main things we seek to do:
ONE | Partner with roasters or providers that sell direct trade coffee and exhibit a growing commitment and relationship with local coffee farmers and environment.
TWO | 10% of all cafe sales go to outside local and global non-profit organizations. Each month's receipient will also be highlighted through the cafe website to raise awareness.
THREE | Host events - fundraisers, film screenings, benefit music shows, discussions groups - to help raise awareness on local and global causes and issues.
How did Q Cafe get started?
In the Fall of 2002, this cafe was founded by Eugene Cho and birthed and initially funded by Quest Church. The hope of the church was to start a separate non-profit/non-religious community cafe with the simple focus: "Be a Good Neighbor." No ands, buts, ifs, and other secret agendas. Q Cafe is not a religious or a Christian cafe but simply, "a neighborhood cafe featuring espresso and tea, art, live music, and community events."
What's behind the name?
Q is the most unique letter in the alphabet and speaks to our hope of wanting Q Cafe to be unique and innovative.
What's the Purpose of Q Cafe?
Rather than a traditional route, they would first create something to demonstrate 'relationship' with its neighbors by creating this non-profit community cafe. The concept was simple: rather than consumerism and capitalism being the only focus, how does we redeem those values in our Western culture? Is it possible to serve direct trade [fair trade] coffee and tea and demonstrate care for our environment and coffee farmers? Is it possible to create a unique venue where not only would people enjoy incredible coffee but be connected to the larger community? Is it possible to create a space where local artists and musicians would have a platform to share their talents? Is it possible to create a space where children, parents, college students, local businesspeople, the homeless, and senior citizens can all come to enjoy a neighborhood cafe? These are our goals.
Since its inception from 2002, Q Cafe is making its mark. In addition to writeups in the Seattle Weekly and the Seattle Times, it was also named one of the notable independent cafes in the country by Worthwhile Magazine. It has hosted countless local musicians through shows and open mic in addition to national musicians such as Tyrone Wells, Smoosh, and Nickelcreek. Every 4-6 weeks, local artists adorn the walls with their expressions. Hundreds of homeless men and women have been helped through the resources we collect in partnership with Quest Church's To the Streets program. Two families were given an opportunity to be placed into permanent housing. Over $10,000 have been raised thus far for benevolent and justice causes like the Tsunami Fund, AIDS, , etc. Q Cafe is also committed to giving 10% of all cafe sales to local and global non-profit causes. The space is used by local businesses, neighborhood groups, study groups, churches, other non-profits, moms' group, and rented for all purposes - even weddings. Q Cafe is growing into a community presence...
How can you help?
1. Enjoy the Q. Most importantly, make us "your cafe." There is nothing more that gives us satisfaction than people enjoying our incredible space, free Wi-Fi, coffee and tea, kids' room, conference room, etc.
2. Help us spread the word about our cafe, our shows, our events, etc. You can subscribe to our blog/website here, follow us on Twitter, and join our Facebook group.
3. Volunteer. We're always looking for folks to help volunteer with our live music venue.
4. Donate. Quality jackets and blankets are received for distribution for the homeless community. We are a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Washington and recognized by the United States IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity. Your donations are tax-deductible and appreciated. Certain companies will also match your donation to our organization. For more information about giving to Q Cafe, contact us at office@qcafe.org.
