May 13, 2011 at 11:36am
BELOVED COFFEESHOP SAYS GOODBYE >>>
"When you build things, sometimes they break," Beyond the Bridge Cafe (BBC) co-owner Ben Rubke tells me with a solemn, sad look in his eyes. I look back at him, accepting his grief, ultimately tearing my heart into pieces.
Beyond the Bridge Café will close its doors for good tonight - the reason for my conversation with Rubke, who anticipates locking up for good around midnight, or whenever the last straggler finally heads out the door. The decision to close was made recently, and Rubke says the factors behind it are varied.
People love Beyond the Bridge Cafe. I love Beyond the Bridge Cafe. The love is about the people behind the business: where they came from, their story, their staff, their love for the community and the fact that they are the community.
And, of course, people love BBC for the coffee.
From the beginning (November 2006), BBC didn't try to re-invent the wheel when co-owners Ben and Trish Rubke opened the doors of their little coffee shop in Sumner's Old Cannery parking lot. Instead, they simply created their own wheel, which rolled in a unique and artistic way. Full of soul and passion, the Rubkes, along with all past employees, made every space BBC inhabited one of entertainment and warmth.
Notable past employees are local talents Travis Barker (Black Sails), Kate Monthy (MLK Ballet) and Michael Hochstatter (The Cloves). It was actually Hochstatter who brought BBC to the attention of the Weekly Volcano, writing a letter requesting paper distribution at their Sumner location back in 2007.
Monthly live music events known as Live at the BBC were sell-out hits, held mainly for the purpose of promoting unknown talent and gathering community. Once the business moved to its Sixth Avenue location in 2010, "The Phoenix," a variety-type dance and music show, took over, providing grand entertainment and a hopeful display of what was to come for the new Tacoma BBC.
In the end, love was not enough for the BBC. Love doesn't pay the bills, nor does it always heal the hurt.
The Tacoma rumor mill is a vicious beast, one in which Ben Rubke is all too familiar with. When asked, he replies, "Yes, the rumors are true." Then, taking a deep breath, he adds, "I'm heading to the Yukon to take up with the fur trade."
I smile at his courage to attempt humor during a time of personal sadness.
"I'm not going anywhere, and I will definitely be back. I'm not done here, I just need to step away, get grounded and come back at a different angle. I need to fix what's broken," says Rubke.
Hurry back, Ben. We'll be waiting.
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Comments for "The last day of Beyond the Bridge Café" (4)
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Mary said on May. 14, 2011 at 2:14pm
Sorry to hear that Beyond the Bridge is closing ):
Mark said on Jun. 26, 2011 at 12:20am
My wife and I went to the original shop prior to Ben and Trish buying it. we then were more frequent when they purchased, as the shop had such a different, younger more friendly feel. when BBC moved to Tacoma, as bonney lake residents, our participation was much less. but on special days, like the anniversary of having our daughter, we would travel down to BBC in tacoma just to have a drink and a bagel sandwich.
what is most sad, is that today, June 25th, is an anniversary for our family, we traveled down, parked, walked, and boom, BBC was gone.
Ben, Trish, Travis, all current and past employees who we would recognize anywhere, we are so sorry this is to an end for now, and that we didn't know or take part in the hugs at the end.
Ben/Trish, you guys are special, keep pushing. we will keep showing up
Elizabeth said on May. 09, 2012 at 10:24pm
When BBC came to town, I was elated. It was my perfect coffee shop and though I live across the Narrows in GH, I somehow found excuses to pay the toll and make my way over. The sense of community there was like none other I have experienced before or after. The eclectic furniture, relaxed vibe, amazing staff and extraordinary drink menu kept me coming back. Local musicians had just started to dip their toes in the water, my sister and I had found a coffee place that felt unique and yet, like home, and then...they closed. Now we compare everywhere we go to the BBC and have yet to find any like it, even in Seattle. Every time we drive by on 6th, we get a little misty-eyed and we try to ignore the sad times of its closing, trying to hold on to the good times we had there. If they ever, EVER find themselves opening another place like it, I will be first in line!
Charles said on Jun. 26, 2012 at 9:31am
Has this re-opened, for someone just sent me info on it?
Charles of "Higher Call"
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