I stopped by Neptune Coffee this morning while surveying the clean-up from this morning’s downtown Greenwood fire, and ran into the two co-founders of Green Bean Coffeehouse, which was one of the four businesses destroyed. You can see smoke still smoldering in the middle of this photo. (Thanks to Dean for the photo.)
Lisa Etter-Carlson and Hayden Smith said they’re devastated by the fire, but that the community is rallying around them and the other businesses. While we chatted, Dan Baumfeld, Neptune’s owner, brought the women free breakfast sandwiches and said he’d be happy to hold a trivia night to collect money for the destroyed businesses. Neptune is also donating today’s tips. Etter-Carlson said other nearby businesses have also offered help.
“We’re very encouraged by everyone. This community is very la familia, which is rare,” Etter-Carlson said. “It’s hard to feel hopeless when you’re being held up by everyone. I’m saying we’re going to be okay because I have to.”
Update 12:45 p.m.: We just received a press release from Green Bean:
The Green Bean is a non-profit organization owned and operated by Sanctuary Church. Sanctuary meets in the Greenwood area at Taproot Theatre on Sunday mornings at 10am. Much of the church’s equipment appears to have also been lost in the fire.
Dr. Randy Rowland, CEO of the Green Bean Coffee House and pastor of Sanctuary Church, responded to this morning’s catastrophe: “A church and a community development organization are about people, not about buildings. The people are unharmed and we remain resolute in our vision and mission in Greenwood.”
Sanctuary Church will meet on Sunday mornings at 10am at The Upper Crust banquet facility located on the Southeast corner of 85th and Greenwood. Donations to rebuilding the Green Bean may be made to Sanctuary Green Bean Fund. In addition, a fund is being established at the Chase Bank Greenwood Branch to benefit the businesses affected by the fire.
Our websites will be updated regularly with relevant information.
www.sanctuarycrc.org
www.greenbeancoffee.org
15 responses so far ↓
1 Margaret Bartley // Oct 23, 2009 at 12:49 pm
For several hours there was a very loud, large helicopter hovering to the southwest. (I live up toward Oak Tree) . It seemed to be “sweeping” the sky, moving gradually south, then coming back to its starting position and gradually moving south again. It was up there for at least an hour, possibly two. I don’t know how long it was up there before I got up to look at it.
I wonder if it was looking for an arsonist?
It was VERY loud and obnoxious. I started looking for blogs to complain on, when I found this fire story.
I hope it had to do the with fire, and not some other activity that will bring it back.
2 Iron City Mike // Oct 23, 2009 at 12:55 pm
We need to catch that arsonist! Seattle police need to make it a priority. In the meantime - any word on if these businesses had adequate insurance to help them rebuild?
3 Tyson Veatch // Oct 23, 2009 at 1:04 pm
In middle school I hung out at the Greenbean Coffee House at least 4 times a week. The co-founders, Lisa and Hayden, are close friends that I look up to as older sisters. I was woken up early this morning by my father, who told me the horrible news. While shaken and frazzled by this incident, I know that the Greenbean and other surrounding businesses affected by the fire will be loved and supported by the Greenwood community. This is most definitely NOT the end. Lisa and Hayden, I love you guys!
4 Jeremy // Oct 23, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Lisa, Hayden, Green Bean and Sanctuary, we love you guys and will help out however we can. And thanks for covering this story, Phinneywood.
5 Tyson Veatch // Oct 23, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Oh, also, Pho Tic-Tac was SOOO good! ;[
6 M. Hutfles // Oct 23, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Has anyone heard anything from Pho Tic-Tac or Szechuan Bistro or C.C. Teriyaki folks?
I know that I will miss the Bistro most of all (had my first date with my sweetie there). I hope the community will help them rebuild as well.
7 Jenny // Oct 23, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I heard from someone who is an off duty firefighter said they brought in a dog to sniff out the scene and the dog picked up on a large amount of accelerants.
8 Deb // Oct 23, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I feel so sorry for Lisa and Hayden and the other small business owners for their loss, but am glad no one was injured. Also, I love that Dan Baumfeld from Neptune coffee is going out of his way to help what some would see as his competitors, but really he just sees them as his neighbors. I hope Phinneywood lets us know if that trivia night fundraiser happens. We’ll be there for sure!
9 PattyO // Oct 23, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Thanks Phinneywood for your great coverage of this terrible event. If there’s one positive thing to come out of this we know that Greenwood is a strong community!
10 outside the box // Oct 23, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Jenny…careful you don’t say unconfirmed things here…we are all anxious for information of course. I had heard they were not even going to go LOOKING until tomorrow. One of us has bad information, so lets just not go jumping the gun! I DO hope they find out cause, and if it is a person prosecute them to the fullest, but I also hope they go about it right…and we all don’t jump to conclusions or gossip!
11 Chris // Oct 23, 2009 at 4:22 pm
While waiting for info, do what you can and donate either directly to Green Bean (which is what I did) or donate to the general business fund through Chase. Let’s get them back on their feet as quickly as possible.
12 mc7 // Oct 23, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I agree, outside the box. Plus I’m suspicious at the idea that a firefighter, off duty or not, would announce that out in the open. (Not suspicious of Jenny, mind you, but of the person who made the comment)
13 Kris Keller // Oct 23, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Ladies–Lisa and Hayden,
I love you in so many ways! Having your presence in the ‘hood elevated my life. You redefine the word community with all the people you help, the barista training program you’ve had for homeless youth, and your gracious ways. I’m so sorry this happened.
Love you,
Kris
14 Laura // Oct 23, 2009 at 11:39 pm
In case you are interested, the fund you can donate to is called the “Greenwood Fire Relief Fund”. It has been established by the Green Bean for all the local businesses damaged by the fire.
15 greenwood-fan // Oct 24, 2009 at 10:50 am
To comment on the accelerants - Remember that Schezuan Bistro had all of those little propane cans for sizzling platters and such. I would suspect restaurants would be more challenging to inspect because of cooking fuels. Just wanted to throw that out there so we don’t send the neighborhood into a frenzy.
Leave a Comment