Satellite Coffee Becomes Cosmonaut Coffee
It looks like we will no longer be able to stop by Satellite Coffee for our morning cup anymore. Not because they’re closing their doors. Certainly not because we’re giving up coffee. No, we won’t be able to stop by Satellite Coffee, but we will be able to stop by Cosmonaut Coffee in the exact same location, with the exact same coffee, baristas, and cool aesthetic.
Nothing has changed, except our name. We are now Cosmonaut Coffee. More will be revealed, but this was to avoid getting sued by a chain/franchise. Same coffee, same employees, same syrups, same location…nothing has changed except our name.
The coffee artist formerly known as Satellite Coffee changed its name to Cosmonaut Coffee following the threat of legal action by a small Albuquerque, New Mexico coffee chain. According to a story from the Weekly Volcano, shortly after our Satellite opened its doors and fired up the espresso machines in 2007, they received a letter from the New Mexico coffee chain of the same name, threatening legal action.
Tacoma Satellite Coffee owner Pat Brown didn’t think they had a case – it’s not like you could accidentally end up at the Tacoma coffee shop when you actually meant to go to the New Mexico business. Unfortunately, after a lot of back-and-forth between the two businesses and their lawyers, the owners of the New Mexico coffee shop informed Tacoma Satellite Coffee owner Pat Brown that they had plans to franchise their business, and demanded that he change the name. So he did, but kept with the space age theme. And this time he did his homework to find a name that wasn’t going to cause problems.
We have to say, the New Mexico Satellite Coffee looks like it could be kind of a cool little chain. It’s a shame they didn’t feel they could share their name with another even cooler little chain from Tacoma. Regardless, while the name on our cups has changed, nothing else has. We’ll still be able to enjoy a lovingly handcrafted cup brewed from Stumptown Coffee beans. … still, we’re thinking Tacoma might not be the best location for the New Mexico chain to open a franchise location.
Filed under: Tacoma Business, Eating Local, Restaurants & Bars
11 comments
R Rize April 11, 2013
Cosmonaut does have some of the best coffee in town – in the top 3 or 4 for sure…
C Christine April 11, 2013
I thought that Satellite was a cool-ish name, but Cosmonaut? That rocks! Bring back the CCCP and all the cool art that went with the propaganda posters will make for some great T-shirts, mugs and posters.
M Maph April 11, 2013
For mother Russia!
N nwcolorist April 11, 2013
Sputnik Coffee would have been good.
R Rick Jones April 11, 2013
Sputnik!!!
N Not Telling April 11, 2013
I’d like to see Cosmonaut up its game a little bit. The place has been pretty grubby sometimes— maybe part of the ‘Grit City’ thing; and some of the whole bean coffee I’ve bought has been stale. The prices for Stumptown are also significantly higher than Stumptown charges in Portland.
A Altered-Chords April 15, 2013
When I hear Russia I think vodka and caviar. When I hear space travel I think Tank. Will this coffee shop serve tang and vodka?
When I see hammer and sickle I think – oppressive, depressing communist USSR.
Do not like this new name.
A Altered Chords April 16, 2013
Tang not Tank.
M Mofo from the Hood April 16, 2013
This town needs a place where a guy can get counter service to rent a hot Russian mail-order bride with room.
N Not Telling April 16, 2013
Well that lowers the level of the discussion, doesn’t it.
How about you keep items like this to yourself, instead of embarrassing yourself in public?
M Mofo from the Hood April 16, 2013
“Well that lowers the level of the discussion, doesn’t it. How about you keep items like this to yourself, instead of embarrassing yourself in public?”—Not Telling @10.
When it comes to discussing flavored water, I suppose we’re all a bit out of our depth. But when the subject turns to judging another’s opinion, that’s something I do understand.
Anyway, we were discussing the high points of Russian culture, and observing the effects of totalitarian influence on the local population.
One tactic for social control in Russia that was often used to quell dissenters, involved the principle of optimism. Comrades like Not Telling @10, self-appointed or otherwise, party members of the “official dogma”, would foolishly attempt to command mindful people to join the revolution and get with the program of mandatory optimism and cheerfulness.