Kitanda began in 1998 as a small Brazilian corner store called Sendex, located in the heart of Seattle’s University District. The shop quickly became known for offering authentic Brazilian products—groceries, flip flops, magazines, and other essentials that brought a taste of home to the local community.

In 2002, we relocated to the suburbs and established our new home in Kirkland, WA. There, we evolved our concept by adding a coffee shop to our small market model and officially rebranded as Kitanda. Over time, we built a strong reputation for our distinctive specialty foods and beverages, including our naturally gluten-free Kitanda Bread, organic Brazilian coffee drinks, Açaí bowls, smoothies, and a variety of unique pastries.

Today, Kitanda operates multiple locations, each supported by its own group of investors and partners. Despite the varied ownership structures, all stores are unified by a single standard: every product is crafted in a commercial kitchen dedicated exclusively to the Kitanda brand.

What does Kitanda mean?
Kitanda, spelled “quitanda” in Portuguese, is a small grocery store or convenience store in Brazil. It is a place where people can go to buy everyday items such as food, household items, and personal care products. They are an important part of the local community and are often owned and operated by small business owners.