On the wall across Hotwire Coffee's bank of four computers hangs a bulletin board crowded with snapshots of patrons seeking partners. Each photo has a number corresponding to a Valentine goodie bag hanging on one of three walls. A customer signs up, posts a headshot, views potential partners, then places an email address, phone number, or little gift inside another's bag, or bags. Hotwire Coffee's web site keeps track of participants, as does its matchmaking baristas.

Hotwire Coffee has garnered the reputation as a cozy place to gather, not just sip-and-run, and unattached customers are joining a new date-matching service the shop provides.

This game of hook-up was cooked up by owner Lora Lewis, employee Rena Poppell, Christina, a regular customer. Both Lewis and Poppell are married. Christina is single.  "Once when I came into the coffee shop Lora and Rena said, 'You should have been here when we opened this morning. There was this guy who we wanted you to meet.' Well, he was a regular, but I'd never come in early enough to meet him," said the 30 year-old graduate student working on her PhD in English. The three ladies realized that, with a little organizing, those passing through the cafe doors like ships in the night could actually bump into each other, and so the matchmaking plan was hatched.

So far, over 30 singles have posted a photo. The three ladies will host a Valentines Day singles party there this Saturday, starting at 5 p.m. It is a call out to all singles, in addition to those posted on the board. Christina said she came up with the Valentines goodie bag idea. "As soon as I suggested it, Lora and Rena were completely jazzed! They asked me to make 30 (bags) in two days." Luckily, Christina already planned a party for the next day, and her friends volunteered with the art project. "The bags are like old school valentines to drop little notes in," she said.

More than 30 singles signed up within two weeks, and, unless more are made, some may not get bags. But they still may get a soul mate. "Singles need an additional boost for Valentines Day," said Lewis, who married her someone-special "last April Fools Day," she said. "Valentines Day can be a very lonely time for singles. We're going to do some candles, plus put a little something 'extra' into the coffee.

"I've heard Seattle is one of the hardest cities to date in," she said. "People are nice to a certain degree. Then all of a sudden they close down. They do the whole 'I'll call you' thing then they never do. With our (dating) service people are going to take love into their own hands, but also we're the extra hands."

Word has spread fast, and last Wednesday several people walked in during lunch to sign up. Lewis recognized a regular customer. "Matt, can I tell you something? Thea has her eye on you. She left you something." Nonchalantly he made his way to his Valentine bag and took a peak as Lewis sported a big grin. Another regular, Jesse, stepped to the counter, not for a date, but to place his order. A moment before Lewis had the chance to mention any bites he got, he said wryly, "You're always offering me a woman with my coffee. Today I just want coffee!"

As the photos contain no specifics about the singles, it is largely the role of Lewis and Poppell to play matchmaker. "They are both incredibly cool people," said J.P., who plans to attend the party. Christina agreed. "They are fun, light, creative, and so playful. Their coffee shop is like Cheers. They know everyone's name and what they drink." As another "single" customer was leaving, quietly reaching for the door knob with latte in hand and her back to the counter, Lewis called out, "See ya' on the 16th honey.”

J.P. was tucked in the corner on a Hotwire computer. He is 45, and said he just posted a photo. He lives across the street, and said, with a touch of sarcasm, "I'm in the flooring industry." J.P. is a computer expert who once worked for Microsoft. He acknowledged that while he may not look edgy on the surface, "You can't judge a book by its cover." He listens to alternative bands, and loves to travel and sail. "Dating stays the same throughout the ages," he said contemplatively. "It's the primal-man meeting woman, how they get along, where the attraction is. It's very complex. At the same time it's very simple."