Kaladi Brothers Coffee, a chain of coffee roasters and shops based out of Alaska, is set to close its Seattle location, located at 517 E. Pike St., on Saturday, July 29 after a 17-year run.

"We will be closing the café for good come July 29th, 2023, after the building was sold in 2020 and [we were] unable to secure a lease longer than a few months at a time with the new building ownership," said Kaladi Seattle's general manager, Erika Zumwalt, in an email to the SGN.

"We want the Queer community to know directly from us about us closing," she added, "and I know y'all have done many articles throughout the years about us moving locations, etc. In fact, we first found out the building had sold via Seattle Gay News in 2020, not from our landlords."

Since Kaladi's Seattle location is in the heart of Capitol Hill, the closure is seen as the end of the "big Queer coffee shop."

"We wouldn't still be here without all of our Queer and Trans customers and people who have worked at Kaladi throughout the years. They made it what it is today," Zumwalt added in a phone interview. "Thanks for being a breath of fresh air.

"In the middle of this new Seattle vibe that's been coming through for the last however many years, it's such a relief to see them in line... Thanks for being sweet and treating us like people and asking us how we're doing and the basics."

Though Kaladi will be closing its doors, the memories that the staff and customers have from the café are not going anywhere.

"Thanks, Seattle," Zumwalt continued. "I've worked at Kaladi since 2009, but I am originally from Alaska... Seattle's been very welcoming. It was scary to move here not knowing anybody, and I am Queer [and] nonbinary, and I was the only Queer person in my café in Alaska. So I was quite surprised and stoked when I came here. All my co-workers were Gay. I was like, 'Shit, I fell into the jackpot.' And I wouldn't have the community that I have [if not for that]. I know a lot of co-workers too wouldn't have the community that they have here in Seattle, or even still be in Seattle if it wasn't for Kaladi, so I'm thankful for the warm welcome."

From now until its closing, Kaladi will be showcasing work by Queer artists that have collaborated with the café throughout the years. The public can also support Kaladi employees by sending money to their Venmos, which are posted on the front door of the business.