‘Capitol Hill’s living room’: Oddfellow’s Cafe passes to new Elliott Bay Books owners

SEATTLE — A neighborhood staple that some called “Capitol Hill’s living room” has new owners.

Oddfellows Cafe + Bar was purchased by the same people who own Elliott Bay Books —Tracy Taylor, and married couple Murf Hall and Joey Burgess.

“I’m excited to pass the baton to a group of people that care as much about the neighborhood as I have,” Oddfellows former owner, Linda Derschang, said in a Facebook post.

Derschang posted a variety of photos of the original space that later became the cafe 14 years ago.

Previously, the space had been an acting studio, art gallery and initially the dining hall for the original Odd Fellows Lodge.

Derschang said the cafe opened on a snowy day in late December 2008 and some customers even skied in.

“When designing Oddfellows, I was trying to create my dream cafe, a hangout and social hub for a very diverse clientele of locals and travelers, old and young, for people that wanted a spot to read and people watch, or to gather as a large group for drinks and dinner. Many people have called Oddfellows Capitol Hill’s living room and I would agree. (I’m crying a little as I write this). Since the very beginning it has been everything I hoped it would be. A huge thank you to everyone that has loved Oddfellows! I hope you will continue to support this magical place for years down the road,” Derschang said on Facebook.

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