By Joe Veyera
A new cafe and bakery has opened in the former B&O Espresso location at 5404 Leary Ave NW, run by a former longtime program/teen director at the Ballard Boys & Girls Club.
Alison Soike opened Alison’s Coastal Cafe & Bakery in late June, just four months after B&O said goodbye after two years in the neighborhood.
“I love this community and the people that make it up,” Soike said in an email. “I love working with kids and I love making food.”
Soike, who has had her own catering business for the last three years, said that after what she called drastic changes at the Boys & Girls Club, she decided to pursue another passion.
“This place will allow me to continue working with the teen population in a job training/mentorship role and allow me to create amazing food for people!” Soike said.
Open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (closed on Mondays), Soike said the cafe will serve breakfast all day, and also boasts a “kickin’ sandwich lunch menu,” along with offering specialty desserts and catering.
When asked what her pitch would be to local residents to try her new space, Soike noted her community ties.
“We are a part of the family here in Ballard and we want our cafe to feel like home!” Soike said. “Come in for good comfort food like your mamma makes, good people and a great experience.”
For more information on the new cafe, visit them on Facebook, Twitter, or Yelp.
(Photos courtesy of Alison Soike)
