December 14, 2020
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA – When Matt Grady acquired Pegasus Coffee Company in the fall of 2019, one of his dreams was to reunite the beloved coffee brand with Pegasus Coffee House, the brick and mortar flagship that Pegasus founder David Dessinger opened on Bainbridge Island in 1980.
For over 40 years, Pegasus Coffee House has been a hub in the Bainbridge Island community. Locals and visitors alike have flocked to the iconic, ivy-covered building for live music, art shows, gathering with friends, good food, conversation, and of course, coffee.
But what many people don’t know is that, more than 20 years ago, Dessinger decided to focus all his energy on growing the wholesale brand of Pegasus Coffee. He sold Pegasus Coffee House, as well as the two Pegasus Coffee locations in Seattle, to independent operators with the stipulation that they continue to feature Pegasus Coffee.
Well, dreams do come true…
Pegasus Coffee Company is thrilled to announce that as of January 1, 2021, it will re-take ownership of Pegasus Coffee House, reuniting the coffee brand and coffeehouse.
“I’m very passionate about coffee,” said Matt Grady, owner of Pegasus Coffee Company. “Bringing Pegasus Coffee House back into the fold is super exciting for us. We look forward to elevating the coffee and guest experience.”
Timing is everything, and when Grady approached Kell Killian about selling, he was ready to make a move. Ownership of the coffeehouse has changed hands three times in the last five years, with Killian having a good two year run.
Killian has plans to launch a kitchen incubator project next year on Bainbridge Island. “The project will connect food dreamers and their ideas to the physical reality you can make, taste and showcase,” Killian said. The new training program will help selected applicants get their restaurant ideas to market quickly.
Grady doesn’t plan to make any big changes at the Coffee House right away. He does plan to bring the Pegasus Coffee team in to work alongside and provide training for the current barista staff, and to spend time getting to know the community. The menu will be scaled back a bit and better accommodate the morning coffee crowd with more grab and go options. Yet by large, the food menu, including favorites like the Breakfast Sandwich, Farmer’s Market Omelet, and Mozzacado Toast, will remain available for takeout until it is safe to welcome guests back for indoor dining.
“The Coffee House has been operating as more of a pub or bistro for many years,” said Grady. “Our ultimate plan is to bring things full circle and once again have Pegasus Coffee House operate as a premier coffee destination with great food and as a vital community gathering place.”
In 2019, Pegasus Coffee Company merged with Islandcraft Coffee Roasters, a local company founded by David Adler, with a focus on developing long-term, sustainable relationships with coffee farmers. Adler is now the Head of Coffee and Roasting Operations for Pegasus.
“Pegasus has such a great story and so much history,” said Grady. “In 1983, Pegasus Coffee opened in the Dexter Horton Building and was the first specialty coffee bar in downtown Seattle. So cool. I’m incredibly proud to carry and steward the Pegasus Coffee mantle into the next chapter in its history, the next 40 years!”
—
About Pegasus Coffee
Founded in 1979, Pegasus Coffee Company is a premier coffee brand from Bainbridge Island, Washington. A specialty coffee pioneer, Pegasus Coffee Company is revered for sustainably sourced, high-quality, small batch, hand-roasted blends and single-origin coffees. With a deep commitment to growers, Pegasus Coffee maintains long standing Direct Trade relationships with farms and cooperatives in Nicaragua and Guatemala. To order coffee and learn more, visit https://pegasuscoffee.com.
About Pegasus Coffee House
Opened in 1980, the Pegasus Coffee House is located on picturesque Bainbridge Island, a quick 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. Originally inspired by the lively coffeehouses of Europe, Pegasus Coffee House continues to be a gathering place for the island community and beyond. To order online, visit https://pegasusbainbridge.com.
The Pegasus Coffee House is located at 131 Parfitt Way SW on Bainbridge Island in Washington.