Pilgrim Coffeehouse closes Shoreline location
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
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| Photo by Michael Winkelhorst |
Pilgrim Coffeehouse Shoreline closed its doors on Monday, May 4, 2026, with a sign on the front door referring customers to their original location at the Oak Tree Village 10002 Aurora Ave N, Seattle.
The sign reads:
It is with deep regret that we must announce our journey at this location is unsustainable and must come to an end. This has not been an easy decision, but it was necessary.We hope to see you at our Seattle location, where your rewards and gift cards will be honored. Thank you for your support. It has been a pleasure serving you.Pilgrim CoffeeHouse
The Shoreline location was their third. It opened February 1, 2025 at 17962 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133.
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27 comments:
A cherished spot. It will be missed dearly
Where was the Shoreline location?
This is a real loss. I still remember the post (maybe on here?) early on during their opening in Shoreline when they wanted to host a free event to get to know city officials, and hundreds of people got up in arms about it because of differences between their own beliefs and those of the owners. I felt so grieved that tolerance was demanded but not offered in return, and that the city caved to the pressures of one group at the cost of inclusivity for all. I don't pretend to know the reasons why this location was unsustainable, but if someone is going to invest (risk) thousands to open a business here, they deserve support instead of censure and I'm grieved for the part that whole thing may have played in making this business fail instead of thrive in a community where it's hard enough to find a nice place to have a cup of genuinely good coffee. I had many memorable cups there, only ever experienced welcome and kindness from the staff, and will miss this lovely gathering space.
Here's to you, Pilgrim. It was a good run. Thanks for all you did to serve our community and create a lovely space. It met a real need, and will leave a hole. We'll miss you!
I am proud to live in a city that does not support homophobia or tolerate intolerance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_tolerance
What was the belief though? Sounds like more to the story.
No one is owed a successful business. Market forces spoke. Shoreline doesn't support hateful ideologies.
This wasn’t about “beliefs.” It’s about racism and mainly homophobia. Attempts to defend those positions were feeble and unconvincing. The excitement of two new coffee houses in Shoreline (Liturgy being the other one) were dampened (actually drowned) by lack of the willingness to welcome and make a safe place for everyone. Good riddance and hopefully someone will take over this place and give everyone a chance to enjoy the space, not just a select few. These two coffee shops are supported almost exclusively by their church members and therefore not sustainable. It’s a shame.
This church openly supports anti gay groups. It’s one thing if you were to say “I’m a Christian and I believe marriage is between a man and a woman” and left your beliefs there but when an organization supports groups that lobby and try to push anti LGBT legislation the “I wish they would be tolerant of my intolerance” argument goes out the window IMO.
That is the big difference that conservatives cannot understand. It’s one thing to be against something morally for yourself but another to advocate that others cannot do what you do not like.
I sincerely hope that helps you understand where a lot of people are coming from.
You reap what you sow.
reply to 11:26 I don't think it was a very good location but the reaction of a few hundred in Shoreline sure says all you need to know about the the city gov't.
Anon 9am - the address has been added to the story.
A respect for pluralism is sorely missing in our community. Pilgrim had excellent coffee, but couldn't thrive here because of the large number of Shoreliners who refuse to live and let live with others who have different beliefs.
Looking forward to what comes next!
sounds like Pilgrim didn't want to let others live and let live. If they hadn't contributed to erasing those they didn't like then maybe more people would have been willing to support them. You can be a private racist, but if you donate to the KKK then I won't be spending my $ at your business.
Pilgrim’s church is intolerant, and their coffee was more expensive than Starbucks. Easy to pick Starbucks instead. Or home brewed.
For those of you who are happy that this coffee shop is closed keep in mind that people that worked there have lost there job. Despite what the ownership belive in there personal life they treated the employees with respect and kindness regardless of gender and sexual orientation. I was an employee and do not go to church or do I think in that way. It was a job when I needed one and I am appreciative of that. now I am unemployed and you all are celebrating it. How is that showing kindness you need to take look in the mirror.
I would like to think their non-inclusive beliefs are what did them in, but honestly, I think it’s because there’s absolutely no place to park at that location.
There might be a simpler reason that they couldn't sustain a coffee shop. It was impossible to get a quick cup of Joe to go. I couldn't find a place to park...every single time I drove by.
Can you provide a citation that’s not a Wikipedia post?
AMEM
Tolerate intolerance….one of many posts celebrating the closure of a business whose perspective doesn’t echo their own beliefs. The hypocrisy around these comments is rich!
I stopped buying coffee from there when I learned they were owned by a church that opposed gay marriage, and that their owner had a history of problematic tweeting. One was around baristas not deserving a living wage. It was a shame because I love the location but I just cant support a business like that. It also doesn't help that they were closed on sundays, a day where people in the neighborhood might want to meet up for a cup of coffee.
Plus being closed on Sundays
This comment is a cornucopia of self-righteous radicalism. First, Pilgrim never contributed to any "erasure" as you claim. That's some stinky hyperbole. Then you move on to ridiculous KKK comparisons for people who don't immediately latch on to every one of the 90 neogenders.
Who are the true haters in our area? Hint: it isn't Pilgrim or those who share a portion of their beliefs. It's the people grave dancing on a church-run business whose only crime was disagreeing with blue state gender fads.
Sometimes a coffeehouse is just a coffeehouse... or is it a Rorschach test?
There are many places closed on Sundays. Three right nearby: Ichi Bento. Frank the Door Store. Discount Tire. All are doing just fine I their businesses. You seem to be trying to connect the "closed Sundays" idea with objections to their beliefs. Trying to stretch it that far makes you lose your credibility, your voice. It's just not part of the equation.
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