Pulling Shots & Penning Poems, Meet Seattle Barista & Assembly’s Own Ruth Kamm
If you think the world of coffee entails nothing more than starry-eyed dreamers grinding beans, then meet Assembly's newest barista-extraordinaire, Ruth Kamm. She certainly won't negate your thoughts on the matter because this 21st-century Da Vinci (hold the beard) has mastered both the steam wand and stylish wordsmithing — indeed, a renaissance woman in her own right — who knows the importance of dreams and their power to propel you towards success.
"Without trying to, I've turned into the stereotype of a washed-up English major who sits behind the bar reading a book or concepting a post for her blog (which I'll be starting soon, by the way)," says Ruth. "But, there's certainly an aesthetic draw to it."
Lattes and limericks are only two tools amongst Kamm's vast arsenal of talents that she brings to Assembly. Not only is she capable behind an espresso machine or original stanzas, but her quick wit and sparkling personality also bring joy wherever she goes. Her delightful nature is like a slice of freshly-baked apple pie — comforting and just the right amount of sweet!
Ruth grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, just outside of LA. She moved to Washington ten years ago for school, where she studied English Lit at Whitworth University. With her freshly minted diploma in hand, she had no idea what the future might hold. But this liberal arts graduate was determined to make it on their own—the job hunt had begun.
"I don't regret my choice of major – I'm passionate about the written word — but I quickly discovered that a liberal arts degree doesn't drop meaningful or highly lucrative jobs immediately into your lap when you study poetry for four years without a career focus."
When she moved into her parents' place on Seattle's east side, she got a job managing a bakery in Redmond for a bit, which was the start of her coffee journey. "Eventually, I moved into an apartment with a former college roommate and childhood friend in the Ballard neighborhood, which provided a secure base for me to make connections and explore different parts of Seattle over the next five years." Washington has been her home for a little over ten years, and Ballard has been the site of most of her post-college adult life. "I can't see myself leaving either anytime soon."
It was a bakery in Redmond where Ruth got her first introduction to coffee, "It had a gorgeous manual espresso machine that looked straight out of an old European coffee shop. It had three levers attached to a hulking metal body that rounded in the back, which you could do your makeup in if you stood behind it." And if you've ever worked in customer service, you know this is absolutely crucial.
From the aroma of freshly brewed beans to the first sip, it marked a unique beginning that left an unforgettable impression. "That industrial relic made it feel truly artisanal, and sometimes I miss the strain of pulling those levers down, waiting for the telltale trickle of a pre-infusion before slowly easing them up. Pushing the button on a La Marzocco isn't the same, but at least I know the science is. It sometimes makes coffee-making feel more like a craft than a mindless task."
Since then, Ruth has worked in a number of barista jobs at notable cafes throughout Seattle proper, including Cafe Besalu (a Ballard staple with the best-baked goods in the city), Kakáo in South Lake Union, and Cafe Bambino in another corner of Ballard.
"To some extent, I think barista-ing is inevitable for shameless idealists like me. I've never felt like I could survive the grind of a typical 9 to 5 desk job without compromising some of my creativity or imagination to some degree. But behind the coffee aesthetic, there's still a business to run, which requires a level of complicity and worldliness that's been hard for me to reconcile."
At Kakáo, a coffee and chocolate shop in South Lake Union, Ruth learned that transactions could go beyond the physical exchange of goods. People were offering stories to share, relationships just waiting to be created, and growth opportunities from each interaction for those involved and herself.
"A focus on community, art, and outreach encouraged me to grow creatively and practically alongside managing a business. I've found a lot of joy in using my creative vision to integrate community with consumerism."
At just six or seven years of age, Ruth had an extraordinary passion for crafting stories and poetry. She devoured books and loved experimenting with words – looking up their meanings in the dictionary to create witty descriptions that would form the basis of a poem or tale. One such creation which stands out is 'Alley Cats.' A tribute to cats everywhere - an ode, if you will.
"It looked and sounded like a nursery rhyme, but I treated it like my magnum opus. I even typed it up on a Word doc and added borders and pictures of black cats, which was remarkable considering the limited graphic design options of Microsoft Word at the time. "
If I were Ruth, I would take these following few sentences to my grave . . .
"Fast-forward ten years to my failed attempt at writing a science fiction novel involving time travel, a mysterious glowing orb, a slow-burn teenage romance, and a tortured villain-king, which I wrote four chapters of and promptly forgot about. Two years later, I revisited it and experienced such a violent amount of cringe that I literally burned the manuscript in my kitchen sink. It's safe to say that I'm a perfectionist in my writing, which I suspect is common for many writers and, demonstrably in my case, a bit of a double-edged sword."
But, she has embraced fearlessness, understanding that facing challenges can result in better writing and more meaningful life experiences.
"I start with an image, a thought, a feeling, or a dream. Anything that makes me feel more human or deepens my understanding of the human experience. Art is both grounding and innovative in that way. It helps us reflect on the universal aspects of being a person in the world – pain, joy, relationship, intellect, sensory experience – while augmenting them and refining them in a highly individual way."
Jeez, exploring the complexities of our inner and outer worlds can be daunting. But by approaching it with an amalgamation of both universal and individual perspectives, we open ourselves up to unexpected discoveries that allow us to reframe pain, joy, relationships, and more in meaningful ways.
"Sometimes I start with the universal and work toward the particular. Sometimes it's the other way around. It's always surprising where it leads me," says Ruth. I usually end up in a completely different place than expected or discover something about myself that's both deeply uncomfortable and thoroughly resonant."
Deep.
"On the other hand, writing is just plain grueling a lot of the time. It's neither linear nor easy, and it's taken me a long time to be okay with the idea of writing something mediocre or even bad. Sometimes I think that most writers actually hate writing, and the only reason they continue to do it is that the alternative is worse. Maybe not. Maybe we just like to torture ourselves."
Even deeper.
So what does Ruth do when she's not spending her time immersed in the boundless creativity of new projects? When not indulging her imagination or developing unique skills that enhance life's journey?
"I'm a highly nostalgic person, so I'm partial to the venues where I saw some of my first Seattle shows. Specifically, the Neptune and the Sunset, where I saw Animal Collective and Andy Shauf, respectively. I also like Barboza's underground speakeasy vibe in Capitol Hill. I saw a local band called Great Grandpa there a few years ago and still wear their band t-shirt all the time."
And if she's got a hankering for brunch after a long night of keyboard clatter? "Hattie's Hat is my favorite weekend brunch spot to read a book over some Bennies or grab a stacked Bloody Mary with a friend for happy hour. My most recent haunt is Pine Tavern, where I write or play shuffleboard with a friend. It's also right by the Dog Yard, which makes it a great spot to intercept dogs."
It's safe to say that Ruth's magic is not just in the realm of the written word but also as a key player on Assembly's team — contributing to both creative projects and business initiatives with equal finesse.
Being creative doesn't mean you can only do one type of art. It means being open to new ideas and seeing the world differently. The team at Assembly are masters of creativity, proven by using multiple mediums to get their point across. So if you need a place to write, work, sit in silence with a good cup of coffee, or want someone to hear you wax poetic about the brilliance of William McGonagall — then come on into Assembly. You won't regret it . . . that's a threat!