Today was the first day in over a year that I walked into a business without a mask. It was a surreal and joyful experience. Life feels, finally, to be on the verge of ordinary.

I entered Pilgrim Coffeehouse, which is celebrating its grand opening over the next few days. The coffeehouse is in Oak Tree Village, at the exact location that one of Starbuck's original North Seattle locations closed almost three years ago.

Even before its official Grand Opening, the coffeehouse has brought new life to the plaza, the freshly roasted coffee bringing me in almost every single day. This coffeehouse near the beautifully re-imagined Aurora Ave N Pedestrian bridge is in a way itself acting as Licton Spring's bridge to a post-pandemic world.

If you haven't been to Pilgrim Coffeehouse, or are just looking for something to do, or want to celebrate the return to some level of normalcy, now is a great time to go! Over the next few days, there will be some fun activities, give-aways, and food vendors. And, as always, a great cup of locally roasted coffee.

Find out more about the Grand Opening on Pilgrim's instagram.

Support Local is a customizable, turnkey marketplace that helps small businesses to band together as a neighborhood — getting them online and shoppable, all in one place.

Check out the new North Seattle Marketplace for some great local gift ideas. Our favorites so far are the North Seattle Proud shirts and Pilgrim's Coffee!

SupportSeattleSmallBiz

Do you have a small business in Seattle? Has your business been impacted by COVID-19?

The Small Business Stabilization Fund has reopened! The Small Business Stabilization Fund provides $10,000 grants to small businesses throughout Seattle who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. This fund prioritizes businesses located in areas of the city that are at risk of high-displacement, businesses with 5 employees or less, creative sector businesses, non profits that provide economic supports through education and job training, and businesses that have experienced the greatest economic impacts.

Applications open 11/9, the deadline to apply is 11/30, at 11:59 p.m.

For more information visit seattle.gov/SmallBusinessStabilizationFund

Questions or assistance contact Seattle Office of Economic Development at 206-684-8090 or [email protected]. In-language interpretation is available.

SupportSeattleSmallBiz

In addition to getting your caffeine fix at Pilgrim Coffee (located at Oak Tree Plaza) who have expanded their hours to 7am to 3pm, you can now enjoy lunch at food trucks located at North Seattle College from 11am - 2pm on weekdays. The food truck changes each day and you can find the menu here.

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🍔🌭🌮Food trucks rolling back onto campus for lunch tomorrow, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the east side of campus (near the Wellness Center). View schedule & menus here: bestfoodtrucks.com/northseattlecollege #northseattlecollege #foodtrucks #fallquarter

A post shared by North Seattle College (@north_seattle_college) on Sep 24, 2019 at 10:33am PDT

Have you had a chance to check out one of these food trucks? Let us know in the commments!

Big congratulations to Justin Shaheen and the folks at Pilgrim Coffeehouse who were recently included in a roundup on Food Network's website: 50 States of Food Trucks!

Be sure to visit their Facebook page for where to find the truck each week.