Let me tell you first that I really, REALLY wanted to like this place. Enough that for a place that…read moreis 30-40 minutes drive away and otherwise never set foot, I've been following their social media handles even before the new management opened up shop last summer. However, the last few visits have been frustrating, each with its won nuances, and based on these failed attempts, I most definitely will not go back. It honestly has less to do with the quality of the items offered, but really how this place is operated - so if you don't care about none of that stuff, feel free to pass on this review.
My first visit I couldn't even get inside because it was closed - I was by during the early afternoon hours that it was advertised to be open and it was a good few weeks past their soft opening. The second time, I call ahead but there's no one answering the phone. So I cross my fingers and was estatic for a split second when I could open the front door... until I find that only the door was open, but the cafe really wasn't since they apparently were closed for a private event. I later found out they post closings on their Facebook page. So third times the charm right? Nope - even after I check their page to see no early closings, I arrive about quarter til 1pm on a Friday afternoon to find I made it "just in time" before closing at the hour. Okay, maybe my timing is really unlucky - so I suck it up (for the time being).
I attempt to order a cookies & cream frappe that was featured on their site. Not available.
I ask, what other frappes? None, say staff.
I ask for decaf latte. Yep - actually just kidding, nope, decaf grounds take time to prepare (aka not worth their time I guess).
So, really I am left with ice or hot coffee.
Okay, at this point as much I want to storm out the cafe - I am reminded that one of the owners from the second visit offered a free drink coupon (at this point my Yelp brain is saying, okay this Is at least is a 3 star review). I think, let me just get a drink and get outta here. Bless her heart, the barista I've been going back and forth tells me she happened to brew decaf coffee earlier and could make iced coffee with it. I am thinking - what saving grace, that stuff I would actually order - great, let's do that.
Here comes the finale - I had told the staff that I was going to redeem this drink coupon as I said yes to the decaf iced coffee. Clearly, that did not reach her. She tells me that she doesn't know how to undo the transaction and clearly, she is anxious as I am in a slightly different sense - I had insight from the earlier TMI when she told me she is almost late for her game at 1. Okay, as the slightly more adult person here I tell her alright, I will pay but I want the management to follow-up and issue me refund. Thank goodness I proposed this cause guess what, amongst all the tension everything was a-OK since I didn't pay. I guess she thought I did and was trying to tell me she couldn't process refunds. I tried to tie a bow on this as best as I could - I tipped the poor girl 20% and wished her luck on her game. I hope I made it clear that my built up frustration wasn't aimed at her, as I tried to explain in between our unnecessarily long interactions.
Oh, did I tell you the staff are not masked in January when vaccines were still limited to healthcare staff? Not the staff nor her companion. Goodness - at least I was wearing one. TMI 2 - no wonder another staff contracted COVID-19. All I can say is - good luck at your own risk, future patrons.
