Cafe Allegro to Open Second Floor Roaster

Seattle's oldest espresso bar is getting into the roasting business. Cafe Allegro, the almost 40-year-old coffee shop with an alley entrance behind University Ave., was a mortuary before it became a cafe. Now, its second floor will house a roaster, coffee education space, and extra seating.

The buildout is happening in three waves: Construction on the roasting area is scheduled to wrap up this spring. Limited upstairs seating will be offered during roasting hours in early summer, followed by a completed cupping and education space.

Staff has finished gutting the upstairs and reinforcing the floor to support the weight of a sweet, sweet vintage Probat roaster. Allegro is raising funds though Crowdtilt to help complete the updates, which include some basic improvements like new windows. Renovations are scheduled to be finished by the end of summer.
· Cafe Allegro [Official Site]
[Photo: Cafe Allegro]