Emerald City Orchids (ECO), one of the Northwest’s lone orchid growers and distributors, is now going to offer espresso and lunch at their Ballard retail shop. Emerald City Orchids plans to open their new café in mid-December.

Entrepreneur and ECO owner, Joe Grienauer, is looking forward to add a café to the Ballard and Phinney Ridge communities and for his retail customers.

“This is exactly what I imagined,” says Grienauer. “I want to provide a home for orchid lovers to dwell while creating an atmosphere for everyone else to see what orchids are about. There is a culture in the flower and garden community. And believe it or not, there is a culture within the orchid community and we’re certain that if you’re going to find it, it’s right here.”

Lunch served at the Emerald City Orchids Café will include sandwiches and salads from Molly’s. Pastries and desserts will be from Hiroki and coffee and espresso will be from Fremont Coffee Company, offering all local bites and beverages.

Grienauer started Emerald City Orchids in 2008, growing and distributing over 500 varieties of orchids. Due to a prospering distribution business, more space was needed and Grienauer purchased the former Il Giardino Italian Restaurant off of 8th and NW 65th in August of 2009.

In January, 2010, he opened the upstairs into a retail shop, offering the general public a chance to see and purchase his Orchids. ECO now offers over 500 varieties of orchids and many can be seen on display at the retail shop and café.

ECO will be hosting an open house on Saturday, December 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at their retail location on 716 NW 65th St.