Our History

Plymouth Housing Group History

Since 1980, Plymouth Housing Group (PHG) has worked to end homelessness in Seattle by providing supportive permanent housing for people who would otherwise be homeless.  Most of the people Plymouth Housing Group serves have very little income, if any, and many are also coping with the complications brought on by mental and physical disabilities, as well. The special care and support they receive at Plymouth Housing Group helps them to maintain their housing and find opportunities to improve their lives. This model of “housing + supportive services” has proven overwhelmingly successful and has brought the organization local and national recognition for its work. 

As the need for affordable, supportive housing has grown, so has Plymouth Housing Group—what started as a group of volunteers with $1,400, now includes 12 buildings and nearly 800 units of supportive permanent housing.  So that Plymouth Housing Group may continue to meet the needs of the Seattle community, it started the Plymouth Café as an additional revenue source to fund its programs.   

Plymouth Café History

The Plymouth Café is a “social enterprise” of Plymouth Housing Group: while it operates as a for-profit business, all profits earned at the Café support PHG’s social mission to eliminate homelessness.  In other words, every penny of profit is directed to fund supportive services and housing that benefit the tenants of Plymouth Housing Group.        

The Plymouth Café, located in PHG’s St. Charles Apartments at 3^rd Ave and Cherry St. in downtown Seattle, is an inviting neighborhood café featuring the freshest local products and homemade specialties.  It serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks to thousands of downtown office professionals and government employees who work within the area.  It also provides educational materials about homelessness and offers customers ways to get involved and give back to the community. 

The socially conscious Seattleite will find a choice of the best local products at the Café.  In addition to using local organic farmers for produce, the Café also features local vendors such as TopPot Doughnuts, Zeitgeist Coffee, Snoqualmie Gourmet Ice Cream, and Tim's Cascade Chips who have agreed to provide their products at a discount to Plymouth Café.  

The Café has received broad community support due to its social mission. Noted Seattle architect, George Suyama, designed the interior of the café. Suyama has created a unique, comfortable space that combines the historic elements of the building with simple modern touches. The result is an inviting neighborhood spot where customers can relax during an afternoon break or meet with a client over coffee.

Café Oversight

The Plymouth Cafe opened in September 2004. The Café’s Management Team consulted with business planners, restaurateurs, accountants, and architects to develop the Plymouth Café business plan and menu.  Plymouth Café formed an Advisory Committee comprised of professionals from the community with expertise in the fields of restaurant operations, entrepreneurial ventures, social enterprise, job training, financing, and nonprofit experience.  The Advisory Committee oversees the Café’s strategy and guides the balancing of social mission and profitability.