My Ballard reader Michelle emailed in to let us know the sad news that B&O Espresso (5404 Leary Ave NW) has closed its doors for good.

Owners Majed and Jane Lukatah are reportedly retiring after 38 years of running the business, the first 36 years at their Capitol Hill location and the last two years here in our neighborhood.

“I left a voice mail (in the hopes it was untrue and to order one of their amazing cakes), and the owner called back to confirm that the café had close and that she and her husband were retiring,” writes Michelle.

B&O Espresso moved to Ballard in January 2013 after their Capitol Hill location was set to be knocked down for a new development. It quickly became a neighborhood favorite here in Ballard and surely will be sadly missed. Check out the sign posted on the door below:

“I’m truly sad to see it go, everyone there was super friendly and funny, the food was great and the cakes were out of this world,” writes Michelle.

The My Ballard team have put in a call to the owners and are waiting to hear back.