Seattle's getting a taste of Juan Valdez's brew

By Monica Soto Ouchi

Seattle Times retail reporter

In downtown Seattle, workers don't think twice about passing a Starbucks cafe on three consecutive blocks.

But even in the heart of latte consumption, this cafe stands out.

The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia opened a Juan Valdez Cafe this week near the corner of Fifth Avenue and Pike Street. The store, its third U.S. location, celebrates its grand opening today.

To many Americans, Juan Valdez is a household name. The fictitious Colombian coffee farmer of TV advertising fame has long touted his country as the producer of "the richest coffee in the world."

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