Tucked into the heart of downtown Seattle, Coffee Tab is more than just another specialty café—it’s a space of mentorship, purpose, and second chances. For founder Johnathan Tran, coffee is a bridge between his past and his future as a community leader.
“Coffee has always been a big part of my life,” Johnathan shared. “It’s the most tangible way I can continue to mentor and build into the next generation.” With a pastoral degree, a passion for people, and a knack for building connections, Johnathan blended his spiritual foundation with the craft of coffee to launch Coffee Tab.
A Tabernacle in the City
The name “Coffee Tab” is short for “tabernacle”—a place of meeting and dwelling. “Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming space in the middle of the city,” he explained. “Whether it’s with a friend, a barista, or a good book, we want people to come in and dwell here.”
But Coffee Tab isn’t just about great coffee, it’s a nonprofit café with a mission: to encourage young people to pursue a higher quality life through a higher quality cup of coffee.
Apprenticeship Over Charity
Coffee Tab operates an 8–12 week barista apprenticeship program focused on youth who have historically been underserved—foster youth, people experiencing homelessness, and refugees newly resettled in the U.S. Trainees learn point-of-sale, food safety, customer service, and of course, how to pull exceptional espresso and craft latte art.
“The gap we’re trying to fill is this: coffee shops are understaffed, but training someone from scratch is expensive. Our program bridges that,” Johnathan said. Graduates walk away with real skills, often ready to jump into barista roles throughout Seattle’s vibrant coffee scene—or stay on at Coffee Tab, where part-time and full-time positions are growing.
From Homeless Youth to Café Owner
Johnathan’s story is deeply rooted in resilience. As a teenager, he faced homelessness after being kicked out by his mother. “It was mentors, social workers, and people who showed up for me that helped me turn my life around. And a lot of those conversations happened in coffee shops.”
After managing a café in Salt Lake City, a trip to Seattle in 2022 stirred something. The city’s visible homelessness crisis brought back memories—and sparked a calling. He left his comfortable job, packed up, and moved to Seattle with little more than a vision. A handmade cart and a LaMarzocco espresso machine from Fulcrum Coffee Roasters got Coffee Tab rolling with a series of pop-ups.
Within six months, Coffee Tab opened its first brick-and-mortar: a 230-square-foot grab-and-go spot. “It was tiny. No bathroom, no back-of-house. But we stayed true to the mission and brought in apprentices from day one.”
As demand for the program grew, so did the need for space. Today, Coffee Tab is housed in a former corporate coffee location—ironically across the street from their original spot. With more space, they now host up to five apprentices per cohort and have seen a major uptick in foot traffic, sales, and community support.
Fulcrum: A Partner in the Journey
Johnathan credits much of Coffee Tab’s success to the relationships formed along the way. “None of this would have been possible without Fulcrum’s mentorship and support,” he said. “From supplying equipment to coaching me through the business side, Fulcrum has been a real partner—not just a roaster.”
In five years, Johnathan hopes to expand. “The dream is multiple locations—not for the sake of scale, but to create more job opportunities for the people we’re training. If someone wants to stay, we want to be able to keep them.”
This week, Coffee Tab is hosting its first ever latte art throwdown—a milestone that showcases just how far the café has come. “Only three of our 15 baristas came in with any experience,” he said. “Now they’re competing, coaching each other, and falling in love with the craft.”
Coffee Tab may be young, but it’s already becoming a cornerstone of Seattle’s coffee and nonprofit communities. With heart, hustle, and a whole lot of espresso, Johnathan and his team are brewing something truly special.
Follow Coffee Tab on Instagram @coffeetab_seattle
