Two months after opening its doors on Leary Way, Highland Espresso in Ballard is already dealing with the kind of jolt no coffee shop wants. Early Thursday morning, burglars pried open a window and cleaned out thousands of dollars in gear, leaving the tiny cafe, which shares space with PIM Products, scrambling to stay in business while police investigate.
What Happened
Owner Lauren Ruiz told KIRO 7 that thieves used a crowbar to force open a window before grabbing “a very, very expensive coffee grinder,” the shop's point-of-sale machine, and the digital video recorder that stored all of the security footage. Seattle police are investigating, and Ruiz estimated the total hit at about $10,000. In the hours after the break-in, customers and neighbors began showing up, buying coffee and offering help to keep the shop afloat.
New To Ballard
Highland Espresso took over the former Cycle & Coffee spot on Leary Way earlier this spring, after Ruiz finished a top-to-bottom refresh of the compact space, My Ballard reports. Ruiz also runs a Highland Espresso drive-thru in Montesano and said she poured significant money into getting the new Ballard location ready. The overnight burglary wiped out core equipment the cafe needs just to operate day to day.
Neighbors Step In As Break-Ins Pile Up
The hit on Highland Espresso comes amid a broader pattern of overnight burglaries and smash-and-grab thefts that have shaken Ballard storefronts in recent months, a string of smash-and-grab hits that has left local shopkeepers increasingly frustrated. Nearby businesses have reported stolen cash tills, gutted refrigeration units, and repeat break-ins that are tough to absorb, especially for small, independent operators. Some have turned to temporary board-ups and community fundraisers to cope, while city crime data and neighborhood blotters show a spike in property-crime reports earlier this year.
Owner Reaction And Fundraiser
Ruiz told KIRO 7 that the loss is “a lot. Especially starting out. It’s brand new. It’s really disheartening,” adding that customers quickly responded by lining up for lattes and offering support. According to KIRO, the shop has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help replace the stolen gear while staff repair the broken window and piece operations back together.
What’s Next
Ruiz said Highland Espresso is working to replace the missing equipment and intends to stay open through the repairs, if at all possible. For now, the tiny Ballard cafe is leaning on regulars and neighboring businesses, which have rallied to help the newcomer weather an early and expensive setback.
