I've visited this restaurant many times - all CT Muffin locations are operated by individual franchise owners and this is the location nearest my home. Last week I decided to take a short walk and get some coffee to break up my day a bit, since I've been working from home for months. I've always felt safe in this restaurant during COVID, since they've seemed to be following precautions and there are multiple signs stating that masks are required. When I was waiting in line, I noticed there were two people sitting at the small counter in front of the window, which is just about 3 feet from the door and the payment area. The two people looked like they had been eating but were now just drinking iced coffees and chatting, and neither of them were wearing masks. While I was still waiting in a line of 3-4 people, one of them walked past me so closely on her way to the bathroom that I needed to step aside. She was wearing her mask around her wrist. I asked her to please put her mask on, she ignored me. She walked by me a second time to return to the front of the store; I asked her again and she ignored me. I raised my voice (not proud of it) and asked her again, and by that point tensions flared and we started yelling at one another. None of the staff said anything at all, they basically ignored the entire situation. There didn't appear to be a manager there and I completely understand why the staff would be tired of dealing with people refusing to wear masks. It should be management's job to handle situations like this.
I left, very upset, and later attempted to contact the franchise owner by phone, to no avail. I also reached out via social media but never received a reply. I'm leaving this review only after having made attempts to speak with the owner directly.
Here in NYC, we've lost many precious loved ones, colleagues, and neighbors to COVID-19, and we're beginning to see increased transmission rates in and around the specific area this franchise is located. Our restaurant reopening regulations have been limited to outdoor eating, delivery, and pick-ups only until at least Sept 30th 2020. Not only were these people eating indoors, they were seated in a place that made social distancing impossible because they were arms length from the front entrance/exit and the payment area. It was frustrating as a customer and also incredibly sad and frightening to see other people unwilling to do such a simple thing to protect others, even when the mask is readily accessible and they're not eating or doing anything that might prevent them from doing so. It's disgraceful that Connecticut Muffin would allow this to happen when they specifically post signs requiring the wearing of masks and they are breaking the law by allowing incidents like this to occur. I'll never return to this restaurant; plenty of other places in the neighborhood actually respect their customers and do their best to protect the safety of their customers and staff. read more