Monorail Espresso – Columbia Center

Monorail Espresso was the first espresso cart in the nation. It opened in Seattle in 1980 and was founded by former flight attendant Chuck Beek and his wife Susie Beek. As the name would imply, the cart was put right to work at the entrance of the Seattle monorail and business exploded. It singlehandedly kicked off a coffee cart craze in Downtown Seattle. Eventually, Monorail Espresso got its own permanent, walk-up window location and then a new owner in 2012 — barista and manager Aimee Peck! 

Bonus: Check out the other Monorail Espresso locations, including Westlake Ave, 4th Ave, Pike Street, and Pine Street inside the Seattle Convention Center.