I've avoided Starbucks during the strike and it hasn't been pleasant. At least I'm gathering…read moreevidence in case I wind up in a podcast debate with one of those lamestains who thinks saying "Charbucks" is a brilliant anti-capitalist quip. But if I lived in Saratoga Springs, UG seems like a worthy successor. I can't comment on their vast bagel stash - poutine and fried chicken is enough for the day - or their beverages beyond the enjoyable caramel vanilla coffee. But I can praise the infrastructure. The line looked intimidating but they kept it moving. Since my biggest gripe for non-Starbucks purveyors is the lack of a condiment bar I was impressed by the options here like simple syrup and almond and oat milk.

Always love the atmosphere and has been my favorite coffee shop for 30 years…read more Service is always wonderful, fast and efficient. Where things are frustrating is (1) the pricing for gluten free options (2) lack of gluten free options. Patrons have to get creative to accommodate a low-glycemic index diet or a gluten free diet. Almost every single soup has gluten now a days. There was a time when soups were the only gluten free option. They've raised the price of a side of grilled chicken to $8.00, which is insane for 3 oz of chicken. That equates to roughly $32 a lb for chicken. The menu says $3.15 to "add chicken" to a salad, so I'm not entirely sure what the big deal of adding it to a bowl of soup is any different? I'm paying $6.99 for a soup and a salad is $7.25. I'm happy to pick out the pasta in the soups, but to not add chicken for $3.15 as if it were a salad is a line that is frustrating. Not a fan of the salads due to the diningware they elect to put them in. The bowls are wabbly and are often filled to the gill, so people like myself who cut their salad have difficulty enjoying their salad as it falls on the table more than staying in the bowl. Giving an honest review in hopes that ownership will take this into consideration. Finding myself coming here less as it gives me anxiety coming and trying to think of what I can actually eat.

Woow. Soo, I ordered a set of 3 new SATA drive cables from Amazon ($7.99), but they won't get here…read morefor a week. I figured, let me drive down to Geek Pantology real quick and see if I can get one there (I really wanted to hook up a new hard drive I bought over the weekend). I had a decent experience there before, so I was somewhat surprised at the abysmal service I experienced today. First off, the sales associate (and I use that term very loosely) seemed bothered to deal with me - not a great way to make a potential customer feel. Anyway, I ask if they have any SATA cables and he pulls out a dingy-ass old box of HUNDREDS of SATA cables from old computers. Price? $3.24. Seriously?! In my head I'm like, "Whatever." But he wouldn't sell it to me because I wanted to use my debit card! OK, I know what some readers may be thinking. The business will get changed a fee (let's say $0.25) for such a low purchase amount in addition to a small percentage (let's say 5.0%) on the sale and they'll lose money. Except in this case, the fees would be less than $0.50 in this case, still making $2.76 off an old dingy SATA cable. Let's say you have 400 cables in that dingy-ass box. Do you think you're going to make $1,300 because they're selling like hot-cakes? Do you expect a rush of customers coming in to empty your dingy SATA cable inventory? If it were me, I would have allowed the debit card purchase or just tossed the customer the dingy old cable for free. Create some good will and keep a customer happy. Instead, I waste a trip, risking life, limb and COVID exposure only to be sent home with no friggin SATA cable! I'm never setting foot in that place again. I'll drive to TROY before I go back to Geek Pantology. Dude, you may be great with technology (an unproven assumption), but your business sense and customer service skills leave much to be desired.

I brought my laptop in because the battery wasn't charging and wanted it checked for spyware and…read moreadware. He called me back and said that I had the wrong charger cable which I had been using for months and never had a problem. Purchased a new one from him and was told I was all set. Got home and found that the keyboard and mousepad did not work. Brought it back and he called me next day to say it fixed. Got home and the mousepad still didn't work. Had to bring it back a second time also that it would freeze or shutoff and had to be restarted and anything I was working on was loss. Called to say it was done, when and picked it up when I got home I noticed that the disc drive was missing, called and told to bring it back again, told him the issue with it locking and shutting down. He made some changes and said that if the didn't work it would have to go to level two. There was none of these issues before he started to work on it and now after numerous times trying to fix whatever he did wants me to pay even more money to repair what he broke. I rather buy a new computer because whatever he did I don't think that it can be undone. The worse service I have ever had. And why should I pay again for something the he destroyed.

A great spot for both coffee and pastry or for music…read more A cute little spot right on the main drag of Shelburne Falls. This place came highly recommended by a dear friend, for both. I've had the coffee here, and my partner really liked the espresso. I usually get a chai latte, which is not too sweet. The baked goods are nice here as well. The staff is helpful, and effective. Comfy seating, the tables are works of art onto themselves. It's a favorite stop whenever I'm in Shelburne Falls to grab a bite of a drink.

wait time for food is absolutely atrocious…read more already been waiting 25 minutes for a breakfast sandwich, mind you there's only one other person here having a coffee

This neighborhood grocery is a sort of a cross between a classic IGA and a Whole Foods. There are…read morelots of organic and higher-end foods (think, your choice of types of hummus, vegan cookies, etc.) and local crafts on sale, but in the neighborhood package store style, a third of the shelf space is taken up by beer and wine and the food is definitely on the pricey side. Coop membership gets you a very small discount, although somewhat better with a cooperating gas station nearby I know nothing else about. They also have a small café area with perfectly decent self-serve coffee, and a small hot food short-order window that is quite good on the simple foods front. It's pretty relaxed and the ingredients and preparation are excellent, if not quite gourmet. The front of the store has a few old-school playground pieces - a hexagonal merry-go-round and swings - and the back has a picnic table overlooking a field with goats, cows, and horses together, so it's kind of a fun spot to stop with kids. It's right on the Rattlesnake Gutter road, which stops halfway through Leverett, and is near the Old Coke Kiln (just a mile around the corner on dirt roads) so for hiking, biking, and exploration it's a nice little push-off point. There is no cell signal down here, but they do have a single internet café station (very old school style) if you need to get connected. Good luck ever "checking in" Yelp style here though.

I visited the coop today after many years. I'm from Sunderland and certainly not a tourist or out…read moreof towner. My dad grew up in montague. I went there to buy jewelry for my daughters who now live out west but are really attatched to western mass and I wanted to buy them something locally made. I found just what I needed but the cashier made me feel unwelcome. He was rude and unresponsive. The store looks great and I would return if if not for this experience. The website says that non-members are welcome but it certainly didint seem that way.. I also spent over 70 dollars and was happy to do so but the whole experience was really unsettling.