Previously independently owned and operated by Pipo Bui, Oscar García, and roast master Sebastian Simsch, SCW was acquired by Vibe Coffee Group in 2022.

SCW has garnered a positive reception and has been deemed one of the best coffee shops in the city, Washington, and the United States by various publications and media outlets.

[6] Seattle Metropolitan has said SCW is "less espresso factory" and "more reading nook", noting the presence of a macramé chair.

[9][10] Established near Seattle's Pike Place Market in 2006,[11] the business was initially operated by Pipo Bui,[12] Oscar García, and roast master Sebastian Simsch.

[13][14] According to Ash Shah of The Daily of the University of Washington, SCW started as a pop-up shop where the owners provided espressos sourced throughout the area.

[16] According to The Stranger, the company also publishes an annual "authenticity report" and provides health care and benefits to all employees.

[17] In 2021, Inc. magazine's Diana Ransom reported that Simsch thought workers became "generally happier" after wages were raised, noting that "turnover is nil".

According to Ransom, Simsch released 20 employees, moving the remaining 15 to a new coffee-subscription service and e-commerce coffee sales.

[27][28] Andrew Zimmern visited SCW in 2011 to feature the business in the first season of the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods America.

[57] The coffee shop operates a retail space on the ground floor of a block, which has been occupied by Amazon and houses the Troy Laundry Building.

[62] Writing for The Oregonian, Caroline Cummins said in 2010 that since the coffee shop is close the Pike Place Market, SCW could feel "overwhelmingly touristy" and recommended the Slow Bar.

[77] In Moon Baseball Road Trips (2021), Timothy Malcolm said "the service [at the Pine Street location] is so on point that you'll get your cup within three minutes".