Urban City Coffee has become a hot spot for the students and staff of MTHS. It originated in Silverdale Washington, with their values as an establishment being, “…quality where it counts.” Fulcrum Coffee Roasters – Urban City’s supplier and partner organization – states, “Since 1993, Urban City has craft-roasted lively blends with an independent spirit to deliver a taste of Seattle culture in every cup.” Errah Jurus and Brian Jurus, both co-founders of Urban City, initially started out in the market as an independent wholesale business that sold coffee beans to retailers in the greater Seattle area. They had started from the ground up, teaching themselves how to roast and shop for their own products, this eventually led them to grow into a profitable business.
As an employer, Errah Jurus has expressed that she believes it is her duty to provide a memorable first job experience to the younger generations. Through her determination in the building of relationships between customer and employee, Urban City Coffee’s customer service truly stands out from other cafe’s. From this, it expanded into the Urban City we know and love today.
With it being only a block away from the high school, placed on 212th street, students flock to the cafe once school has ended for the day. Customers visiting Urban City Coffee can enjoy a nice drink or delectable sandwich anytime from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday – Sunday’s being the exception (starting 6 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m.) The interior is relatively small, Katie Larios, a senior at MTHS, expressing her concerns on its size, stating she wishes it was larger. however it conveys a feeling of openness through its quantity of windows that line either side of the cafe. Along with this, There are disparate seating options, which consist of around 10 seats throughout the shop, including a lounge and armchair resting in front of a fireplace.
Besides seating, Urban City also has varied service options including outdoor seating, drive-through, takeout, and dine-in. They also have an online shop, where you can order to your heart’s desire with just the click of a button. Inclusivity when it comes to customers is a step above other establishments, with Urban City’s wheelchair friendly entrance and openness to pets on the premises with free wifi, to boot! A great comfort to customers is the accessibility when it comes to allergies. Furthermore, the clearly labeled options ranging anywhere from vegan to gluten free allow for stress free eating among clientele.
Urban City’s expansive menu has a plethora of food and drink options to choose from. Not only do they have a handful of coffees and frappuccinos – or wine for the patrons of legal age that choose to order alcohol – they make several types of sodas plus a variety of breakfast and lunch cuisines. A barista commented that the two most common orders they receive are the raspberry almond scone and the sixteen ounce latte. Although they are known for their coffee, it is not the only option sold. Skylar Wolf, a senior at MTHS expresses a preference for the Red Bull Italian soda, stating in an interview that it is her go-to order.
Other than food, students often frequent Urban City as a place to study or hang out with friends. As a senior, Larios expressed that she often stops by to spend time with her classmates after school. A large percentage of the student population has visited Urban City at one time or another while enrolled at MTHS. The availability of Urban City’s proximity, open hours, and comfortable atmosphere makes it an optimal studying location for students to prepare for upcoming projects or tests.
However, students aren’t the only customers that come by Urban City. Sophia Dipiazza used her visit to respond to some emails while enjoying a cold brew and a bagel sandwich as a first time customer in early February of 2024. Since Dipiazza’s home was a bit of a distance away from Urban City Coffee, she hadn’t visited in the past; however, she expressed an interest in returning at some point in the future.
Urban City Coffee has a very cozy and comfortable environment. It’s perfect for getting a hot cup of coffee on a chilly day – the menu choices are limitless, and yours to discover. You can expect an enjoyable time whether or not you use that space to study, hang out with friends, or just to relax on your own. With an enjoyable atmosphere perfect for getting work done or a little recreational time with your friends, Urban City Coffee won’t disappoint and is a great local spot worth coming back to again and again. Their expansive menu creates the ability to try a new item every time you visit, and maybe even discover a new favorite along the way.
