A close call convinced Jae Lim to change direction in his life and follow his passion.
But Lim never would have gotten the chance to become an Auburn restaurateur had he not returned in one piece after surviving some harrowing moments in the military.
Lim often rewinds one unforgettable episode during his yearlong deployment in Iraq. While on duty one day, the Army sergeant and his unit suddenly were bombarded by enemy fire. In the chaos, a mortar-propelled shell landed a few feet away from Lim.
Lim’s young life flashed before his eyes. But something fortuitous ensued. The rocket didn’t detonate.
“I was very lucky,” Lim said.
The incident convinced Lim to reconsider his situation and change his plans. After eight years in the Army, the South Korean-born soldier, a trained mechanic in the service, got out.
Back home, Lim delved into real estate as a means to get to where he really wanted to be – the restaurant business.
Lim had a successful run as a realtor before the economy soured. So when a friend, the CEO of Pazzo Coffee, called with an opportunity to run one of his newly established stands, Lim jumped at the chance.
Open since March, Lim’s coffeehouse has awakened every morning in the same location previously occupied by Tully’s. Lim’s quaint shop – tucked along busy Auburn Way South in the Forest Park Retail Center – offers a wide variety of coffees, freshly made sandwiches, salads, Italian dishes and frozen yogurts for the on-the-go crowd and sit-down customers.
Lim’s father would approve of his efforts. The elder Lim had been in the restaurant business for 30 years, and some of his work ethic and attention to detail apparently rubbed off on his son.
Lim, who grew up on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, has worked nearly every day since he was a youngster. He went off to college briefly before deciding to enlist in the service and learn a trade.
“I learned some good lessons in the Army,” Lim said. “Not only did I learn a lot of lessons, I made a lot of friends of different races.”
Lim’s cultural awareness extends to his life and business. He welcomes local artists to exhibit their works on his walls. He welcomes musicians of many genres to perform live at his coffee hamlet on Friday nights.
“I am open to anything, any music,” said Lim, a drummer in his own church band, which includes wife Hee, a pianist. “To me, there’s no bad art or bad music. It’s up to the people who decide either they like it or they don’t.
“I want this to become a cultural place. I want this place to be an outlet for others.”
For Lim, the door of opportunity opened in the form of a friendly coffee shop. Through long hard hours, he hopes it will all work out fine.
“I very much want to be a part of the community,” he said.
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We’re open
• Business:
• Location: 3312 Auburn Way S., Suite A
• Specialties: Wide variety of coffee, hot and ice; sandwiches, salads, some Italian dishes, frozen yogurt
• Hours: 5 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Friday; 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
• Discounts: Available to Muckleshoot Tribal members, school teachers and veterans.
• Events: Friday night live music sessions, beginning July 10 with Chris Siegmund and friends. Music begins at 7 p.m. Performers encouraged to inquire about future dates at the coffeehouse.
• Information: 253-737-5960 or www.pazzocoffee.com, e-mail at pazzocoffee.auburn@gmail.com
