<P> In 1983, the name again changed from Stewart Brothers Wet Whisker to Stewart Brothers Coffee . Shortly after, business began to expand, and new shops opened in Bellevue, Washington, and in Seattle's historic Pike Place Market a year later . In 1991, the company was renamed "Seattle's Best Coffee" after winning a local competition . One of the highest volume coffee shops in the 1990s was the Seattle's Best Coffee on 4th and Pine at the Westlake Center in Seattle . A manager was hired, Kim Whittle, and within 3 years she took that location from $700,000 to $1.3 million . The sales were not espresso machines or even bulk beans, 85% of the sales were in cups (drip, lattes, mochas, Italian sodas and Americanos). This location was rumored to be one of the highest volume coffee shops in the world . Around 1995, Seattle's Best Coffee was purchased by a group of investors who own Torrefazione Italia . They formed a new company made up of both parties called Seattle Coffee Holdings . In 1997, Seattle Coffee Holdings changed its name to Seattle Coffee Company . </P> <P> In 1998, AFC Enterprises purchased Seattle Coffee Holdings and began franchising the Seattle's Best Coffee brand . During AFC Enterprise's ownership, Seattle Coffee Company's Vashon Island roasterie was upgraded and the company's organic coffee line was established . AFC Enterprises sold SBC to Starbucks in July 2003, retaining franchise rights in eleven countries, Hawaii and U.S. military bases . </P> <P> Starbucks closed the Vashon Island facility October 23, 2003 and moved production to their Kent, Washington roasterie . The historic Vashon Island roasterie building, Jim Stewart's original 1952 roaster, and roastmaster Peter Larsen, while no longer affiliated with SBC or Starbucks, continue operations as "The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie". </P> <P> The Borders bookstore chain signed a contract with Seattle's Best Coffee in 2004 to convert Borders' in - store cafes to Seattle's Best cafes . By 2006, approximately two - thirds of Borders' domestic superstores had completed the Seattle's Best conversion . Seattle's Best parent company Starbucks Corporation has contracted with Borders' competitor Barnes & Noble to sell its products in Barnes & Noble's Cafes . (Borders has since completely shut down due to bankruptcy .) Starbucks also owns and operates locations within Chapters and Indigo Books and Music bookstores in Canada . </P>

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