Broadway now hosts a distinctive café that stands out for reasons beyond its décor and culinary offerings. Situated in a historic building at the intersection of Congress Avenue and Broadway, the Essence of Thyme Café occupies what was formerly a prominent furniture retailer, Bloomberg Furniture. Like numerous structures visible along Broadway between Bellingham Square and Everett Avenue, this building was constructed following the Chelsea Fire of 1908. Though originally designed primarily for retail purposes in the early 1900s, many of these Broadway landmarks have since been repurposed to serve contemporary needs. In 2008, the local organization TILL—Toward Independent Living and Learning—transformed this nearly half-block structure into a mixed-use facility. Operating on Broadway for over 25 years before relocating to this site, TILL now houses 23 affordable housing units, a day rehabilitation program serving individuals with developmental delays, and a remarkable café. The ground floor corner space at Congress Avenue and Broadway hosts the Essence of Thyme Café, arguably one of Chelsea’s most distinctive dining environments. The operation serves more than 250 meals daily, available for on-site consumption or delivery to local businesses through their catering services. Beyond its striking setting, the café’s defining characteristic is its employment of individuals with learning disabilities, who gain practical experience and develop skills for mainstream restaurant and catering positions. Operating from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for breakfast and lunch service, the menu features homemade muffins, sandwiches, breakfast items and Seattle’s Best Coffee at very affordable prices. Cindy Anderson, Director of Employment Services at TILL, encourages visitors, noting that “We make darn good sandwiches and breakfasts.”
