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Market Street Coffee Company opened quietly June 22 and put smiles on faces by declaring the following Saturday "Free Coffee Day." Owner Linda Fiscus's son, David Williams, and daughter, Michele Dunn, take turns manning the coffee bar. Market Street Coffee occupies half of a space shared with Smooth & Juicey in the bottom of the large purple building owned by Thane Davis and Trish Lecy-Davis (the spot recently vacated by Satellite Coffee). I was sad to see the rocket and spaceman on the outside of the building be painted over, but change is inevitable.

As of early last week, the interior looks much the same as when Satellite was there. Williams says Market Street Coffee is growing into it the space and will be adding their own aesthetic touches. He mentions a wall mural by artist Jeremy Gregory is on the "want" list. Williams has ties to the hip-hop community; CDs by CityHall (EvergreenOne and Todd Sykes) are for sale and displayed on the counter. Pastries come in daily from Corina Bakery; beans are from Madrona Coffee and loose leaf teas provided by Mad Hat Tea.

"We want to provide what people want. Just tell us; we'll get it for you," Williams says. To this end, Market Street now has rice milk and soy milk.

Not much of a coffee person, I opted for a 16-ounce chai that held an even balance of spice and sweetness. Williams made it just slightly warm, per my specification. On another visit Williams' sister Michele Dunn made me a pomegranate Italian soda-which was like a creamy sweet dessert in a cup.

Of note, the drip coffee at Market Street Coffee Company is not made with a machine. Fresh grounds sit in a filter, and hot water is poured over top - with the brew collected in an hourglass receptacle with wood collar and leather tie. The distinctive coffeemaker is a Chemex. To me, it looks more like an artsy vase.

"People love it. They're buying them for their house," says Dunn, showing me the coffeemakers which Market Street Coffee Company also sells.

[Market Street Coffee Company, 1122 Market Street, Tacoma, 253.365.6706]