Espresso’s the big hit at Everett library cafe

EVERETT – Sitting in the cafe at the Everett Public Library listening to live jazz and enjoying a latte, it’s hard to imagine that the 1934 art deco room was recently used for storage.

The Espresso Americano cafe opened a year ago this week, but it’s already become a vital part of downtown nightlife and culture, said Karen Shaw, Everett’s director of economic development and human needs.

Julie Busch / The Herald

Kari Averill of Everett grades English papers for her 10th-grade class at Espresso Americano at the Everett Public Library. “I love this place. We come for the music,” Averill says. “It’s fabulous.”

“The entertainment is fabulous, and it’s free, and it’s a nice, inviting place,” she said.

It also fits well into the city’s efforts to attract more housing downtown, Shaw said.

“People want to be around vibrancy and energy and things going on,” she said. “This is one of the types of things people need if they want to live in an urban setting.”

The cafe is especially crowded on Friday and Saturday nights, when jazz, classical, blues, pop and rock musicians play. The venue often is filled to its capacity of 120, said Ron DeMiglio of Snohomish, owner of the cafe.

The cafe has also brought new people to the library, said library director Mark Nesse. Book clubs and a chess club meet there, and coffee klatches regularly convene.

“It’s been a big success,” Nesse said. “It’s really an important part of building a community. The way it’s evolved is exactly as we had hoped.”

The library receives $800 a month in rent from Espresso Americano, plus 9 percent of revenues.

DeMiglio said he only breaks even on the cafe, which is what he expected. The location at Hoyt and Everett avenues does not have as much foot traffic as other parts of downtown, he said.

“I was born and raised in Everett, and I thought this was an opportunity to give back and be part of the renaissance taking place in downtown Everett,” he said.

DeMiglio said he doesn’t charge admission to concerts to ensure that as many people as possible attend. And some artists accept lower fees, he said.

“They can’t afford as much as other places, but there’s a trade-off,” said Michael Powers, a jazz and blues guitarist and composer who has played at the cafe several times.

At some venues, he said, people talk loudly while he’s playing and use the music only as background noise.

Espresso Americano reminds him of places he has performed in Europe, where “people really, really stop and listen to what you’re doing,” he said. “When people are talking, you have to expend a lot of energy getting people’s attention rather than putting it into being creative with the music.”

The elegant room is a far cry from the decor at most other chain coffee shops. High ceilings and windows give it an airy feel. The wood on the walls is oak stained dark brown, and the tables are made of solid oak handcrafted by Allan Cole of Monroe.

Espresso Americano opened a second local location in September at Everett Station, 3201 Smith Ave. Espresso Americano has 94 other locations worldwide, including in China, Ecuador, Egypt, Honduras and Japan, DeMiglio said.

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic moves across the US 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
$25M has been spent studying US 2 trestle. Are we any closer to a fix?

Over the past decade, half a dozen studies have examined the infamous arterial connecting Everett and Lake Stevens.

The former Waits Motel property along 13th Street and Lombard Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett takes steps to redevelop Waits Motel property

This month, the city presented plans to sell the property to the highest bidder, with conditions. Some council members opposed.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Charges: Suspect shot man 6 times south of Snohomish

On Friday, prosecutors charged two men in connection with the Sept. 14 killing of Joshua Wilson, 29.

From left to right, Rick Larsen and Cody Hart.
‘MAGA Republican’ looks to unseat Everett’s Larsen in Congress

The candidates to represent Everett in Congress differ on hot button issues including abortion and gun control.

The Arlington City Council will discuss asking voters to consider annexing its fire department to North County Fire & EMS. (North County Fire)
North County EMS is underfunded and understaffed, workers say

The fire agency that serves about 45,000 people has lacked emergency medical leadership for six months.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lindsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
Navy crash victims from Whidbey, both 31, identified

On Tuesday afternoon, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans and Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman crashed near Mount Rainier.

Wildfire smoke builds over Darrington on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Darrington, Marysville tackle wood smoke to address poor air quality

Officials have launched local programs to help. But residents may need more support.

The Everett Herald’s newest environmental issues reporter Eliza Aronson. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald welcomes new environment reporter

Eliza Aronson joined the Everett newsroom this week.

Participants in the Guinness World Record Beard Chain Attempt lineup to get their beards clipped together to be measured at Pacific Rim Park on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Country’s longest beards descend on Everett in pursuit of record

The grizzled group of 40 didn’t reach the mark they wanted Friday, but they had a good time anyway.

Matt Saldivar, a lead mechanic at Boeing for 5 years, smiles while picketing with other Boeing workers on strike on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing: Strike vote will have no effect on planned layoffs

The company said notices to 17,000 workers will be delivered this month, with their last day set for Jan. 17.

The Washington state Capitol building in February. (Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard)
Voters are about to remake WA Legislature. Here are 7 races to watch.

Democrats hope to grow their majorities in the state House and Senate. The path may be through a local race.

Authorities rescued a woman in her 70s from Lake Stevens on Friday morning. (Photo provided by Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)
Police rescue woman from submerged car in Lake Stevens

When authorities found the woman, she had no pulse. But paramedics were able to regain a pulse and she was taken to the hospital.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.