SEATTLE — A new Queen Anne coffee shop was burglarized hours before its scheduled grand opening on Saturday, forcing the business to postpone its launch by two hours.
The break-in occurred at EMME, located on Queen Anne Avenue North, where an intruder gained access to the building and stole equipment and cash.
Marion Emme, owner of EMME coffee shop, discovered the break-in while reviewing security footage early Saturday morning. The perpetrator entered the business after breaking open a key lockbox outside the shop.
Emme and her staff had spent the previous evening preparing the space for customers.
“I just wanted a space that felt like my own honestly,” Emme said.
She explained that staff members worked late into the night preparing for the launch.
“The night before, I had like a barista that was in here till like 2 a.m. decorating and putting up little balloons on the walls and everything, and we were just here pretty late, just making sure everything was good to go,” Emme said.
At 6 a.m., Emme reviewed surveillance video and spotted an individual wearing a hoodie inside the coffee shop about an hour earlier.
“My stomach just kind of dropped, I think, because I don’t know; I haven’t experienced anything like this before,” Emme said.
The thief took surveillance cameras that were charging behind the counter, a phone used for music streaming and $80 in tip money left in the register from a previous soft opening.
Before departing, the perpetrator used the stolen keys to lock the door from the outside.
“Because he had the keys at that point, he locked the door behind him as he left and then took the keys with him,” Emme said.
To secure the building, Emme paid $1,600 to a locksmith to replace the locks and supply new keys. She filed a police report regarding the theft, though she stated she does not expect to recover the stolen items or cash.
Despite the incident, community members visited the shop throughout the day.
“Honestly, it’s kind of a good conversation starter with people at the counter, so everybody has just been, stopping by and mentioning it, so we get to give them the rundown,” Emme said.
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