Watson’s Counter to close permanently on Dec. 12

Watson’s Counter, the Korean restaurant and cafe at 6420 24th Ave NW, will be closing up shop next week after six years in the neighborhood.

Owner James Lim announced the news on Instagram, saying it’s time to focus on his family.

“This next chapter of my personal life is focused on being a father and in that there’s no longer any room for a business that doesn’t provide income while occupying most of my waking hours,” Lim wrote.

Lim opened Watson’s Counter in 2019 on the corner of 15th Ave NW and NW 62nd St. In 2023, he moved the cafe to its current location at 6420 24th Ave NW.

The move was costly with some unforeseen issues that caused Lim to appeal to the community for help in January this year.

And now, Lim is ready to focus on being a dad. He says they’ll continue to roast coffee and focus on subscriptions, wholesale and coffee education. Lim plans to host classes periodically and maybe even coffee pop-ups.

From Lim:

When I opened this business in 2019 I set forth the goal of running a coffee company that I could be proud of in every way. It was a privilege being able to provide for my team, create products, and source coffees all on my own terms. I was fortunate enough to find amazing people over the years who helped breathe life into what Watson’s Counter has become by believing in what we set out to do. It’d be silly to say the goal was to be some groundbreaking force that disrupts the zeitgeist of the current food/coffee world. I just wanted to create a safe space for people to come hang and enjoy some great coffee, food, and company. In my years I’ve found that the best relationships have always grown through the breaking of bread and a shared experience across that table.

What I didn’t anticipate was how much of a relationship I would build with all of you. Whether you’re a local regular or visited once from afar, all of the conversations and stories that we’ve shared over the years are the thing that I hold closest to my heart. Never did I think we would mourn the losses and celebrate the wins in your lives alongside you. Never did I think you guys would mourn our losses and celebrate our wins alongside us either. Even as I write this my heart begins to sink knowing that I won’t see most of you unless we run into you out in the world (please say hi!). As much as Watson’s Counter was built by me, what it became was truly defined by all of you.

Watson’s Counter’s last day will be December 12.

Photo: James Lim