Coffee with a Friend: the Blu Cafe at New Hope Church

Vicki Michels is a woman on a mission - and that mission is to find every coffee shop in the area where you can get a good cup of coffee and sit down to enjoy it with a friend. She has consumed many mocha mint non-fat sugar-free lattes and raspberry muffins in search of information to share with our readers.

Signs point to the Blu Cafe.
Photo by Vicki Michels

BLU CAFÉ

at New Hope Church

19350 Firlands Way North

206-595-5929 (Manager Steve Moll's cell phone)

Website

By Vicki Michels

There is nothing really remarkable about this little hole-in-the-wall except that it is welcoming, light, and spacious. There is no charge for anything – except, of course, they dearly appreciate donations. If you're ever broke but jonesing for a caffeine fix, come on in. But I always drop a $5 bill into the jar for a bagel and a mocha/macadamia latte.

The BLU CAFÉ is very casual, and part of the "outreach" to the community. Everyone is quite welcome. It's not a very visible place, and the manager volunteer Steve Moll is delightful and hungry for company. (He also has a memory like an elephant! A month after I first visited, when I came in, he said "Hello, Vicki! How ya' doing?")

The church pastor was originally from Kauai – thus the "tropical" accents of palm trees and pineapples. The feeling is a Hawaiian concept of community as "family".

There is a lot of room for meetings and groups. More visitors would be most welcome. Police and firefighters often stop there for quiet coffee and conversation.

The Blu Cafe has a full counter, pastries, espresso, and  tables for two.
Photo by Vicki Michels

A little curtained stage area holds kids' toys and a play area. The photos here were taken on August 2, and advertise their "National Night Out" with munchies, hot dogs, popcorn, three bands, and a dunk tank.

(This is not so much a business as it is a community parlor. One should never feel shy about coming here. Note that your writer here is an atheist, and I still felt totally warm, welcome, and comfortable.)

HOURS: Note this shop is open only three days a week.

Open – Tue, Wed, Thu 9:00 a.m.

Close – Tue, Wed, Thu 5:00 p.m.

The Cafe has its own mugs, with logo.
Photo by Vicki Michels

FOOD:

There are pre-packaged baked goods (bagels, sweet rolls, cookies). The ones I have bought are fresh and yummy. Again, payment is by donation.

PARKING:

There is plenty of parking available, both outside the café itself and also above in the church parking lot.

SEATING:

Besides a few comfy lounge chairs with coffee table toward the back, there are perhaps 12 tables with chairs. The tables could be easily moved around for whatever seating you like. During good weather, there are tables outside for a bit of sunlight and fresh air.

The church pastor is from Hawaii, which inspired the grass umbrellas.
Photo by Vicki Michels

COMPUTER/INTERNET:

Outlets are scarce, but there is free Wi-Fi for folks with their own laptops.

HOW TO GET THERE:

The New Hope Foursquare Church sign can be seen on Aurora, but the area must be entered from Firlands, the street behind the church.  For easiest access travel west on 192nd (at the Park and Ride), then turn north/right on Firlands, and turn east into the parking lot.