1001 Dupont St. has been a commercial cornerstone of the Lettered Streets Neighborhood since it was built in 1890 by a relation of the controversial General Pickett. A mom-and-pop grocery store, a mattress shop, a skate shop and a recording studio are just a few of the businesses that resided on the corner of Dupont and F. 2002 began a new era for this antique building. Two entrepreneurs re-did the face and feel of the lath-and-plaster laced building and started a coffee shop. Suddenly an ‘open’ sign stood for more than just a time for commerce, but as a place to meet, for community to develop, and ideas to be shared. Taste-discerning customers and talented baristas shared a loyalty to the coffee and the neighborhood, and were rightfully disappointed when the coffee shop closed their doors on April 30th, 2007.

But the story refused to end there. Two of the managing baristas, Anna Dean, a native of Whatcom County, and Kjirstin Haugland, a transplanted lover of Bellingham, were presented with the offer of buying the equipment from the former owner and starting their own business. The idea seemed laughable at first, but after seeking the wisdom of their friends and family, decided to throw all fears and doubts aside and begin the journey of all workers-turned-business owners.

After calling on the generosity of all possible friends, family, and neighbors, experiencing countless hours of hard labor, lack of sleep, and a few moments of pure chaos, the building was once again prepped to hold smooth caffeine-infused bubbles of conversation and community. The old fluorescent ‘Open’ sign announced the beginning of Lettered Streets Coffeehouse on November 1st, 2007.