Cafe Racer -- site of Seattle shooting spree -- up for sale

SEATTLE — A Seattle cafe that was the site of a deadly shooting spree is up for sale.

Nearly five years ago, a customer killed four people at Cafe Racer in Ravenna. A fifth person was shot by the same man at another location.

Owner Kurt Geissel made the announcement Tuesday night, saying he’s selling the cafe over family concerns, his second job and other responsibilities.

Last year, Geissel set up a GoFundMe account to raise cash to stay open. More than $30,000 was raised, but it was not enough.

KIRO 7 spoke with him in November about how his business was struggling because of a bike lane project.

“The culture of this place is a fabulous success, but financially, not so much. I know that there’s a lot of businesses that are struggling around here,” said Geissel.

Geissel said he was conflicted about selling the café, which has been a home for hundreds of musicians to perform as well as a meeting place for artists, motorcycle and scooter clubs and others.

“I never really knew what Cafe Racer meant to people until after the tragic shooting. The outpouring of love and support from the community was amazing and the fact that we, as a community were able to come back from it, shows that there is a need for places like Cafe Racer in the world," Geissel said in the sale announcement.

He also posted the announcement on Facebook, garnering dozens of posts from well-wishers.

The owner said he hopes that someone would like to keep the café going in the same manner as it has for the last 12 years.

Cafe Racer will be open for business until it is sold.

The cafe is listed for sale at $135,000, but that does not include the land.

Cox Media Group