The Station eyes expansion to second location in South Seattle
Inside the Station Coffee Shop in Beacon Hill. Owners Luis and Leona Rodriguez are looking to expand to a second location (Photo Luis Rodriguez)
The Station, a community-centered coffee shop in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, has been gaining notoriety and fans steadily. Now, owner Luis Rodriguez says he’s ready to capitalize on that success and expand to a second location in South Seattle between South Beacon Hill and Columbia City.
“I want to show Black and Brown kids that not only can you be a business owner, but you can own multiple locations and expand,” Rodriguez said. “Everything we do has a community focus, and we’re hoping to be able to expand even further into the communities around this city.”
Rodriguez and his wife Leona, who met when they were students at Nathan Hale High School, began The Station in a “garage-like” setting, serving coffee to the community and pushing towards his dreams. After arriving in the United States as a child, he knew he wanted to build a legacy for his kids and others around him.
“For me, this is something where I want my kids to be able to say ‘my dad did that’,” Rodriguez said. “Everything I do is about leaving a legacy and uplifting people in a positive way.”
Rodriguez and his wife with their kids outside The Station (photo Luis Rodriguez)
Expansion, though, is a massive undertaking and one which Rodriguez knows he needs support with. He began a GoFundMe with the goal of $100,000 to jumpstart the opening of location number two.
“We live in a city where everyone is always talking about how they want to see minorities succeed,” Rodriguez said. “This is a chance for people to put their money into that mission, rather than just their words.”
On a personal level, opening a second location is something Rodriguez dreamed about but wasn’t sure if he would ever accomplish.
“It’s really amazing to me, to be in this position. And again, it all goes back to my kids and the community. I want to leave a positive legacy that inspires and uplifts everyones,” Rodriguez said.
You can contribute to the GoFundMe here and find out more about The Station here
The Station’s original location (above) and current location (below) (Photos Luis Rodriguez)
