Apparently anyone for any reason can post to this site. Lalajava is a great place ~ constantly changing to accommodate every season. The owners are amazing people & have been in business for over 30 years so I'm assuming they are doing something right. The reason I know this (and probably many other customers can say the same) is because the owners are very involved in their business and with their customers. We know about them and they know about us. We are treated like friends...I feel as if I am treated like family sometimes. If you are a regular (and sometimes even if you are not a regular), you are greeted by name when you walk in the door. Sometimes my drink is even made and ready for me before I get to the counter!
OMG, and don't let me get started on the people saying the drinks aren't sweet enough! If you want sweeter, ask for more syrup, sugar, sauce - whatever you need! I even saw a review say starbucks uses real caramel HAHAH - I don't think starbucks uses real anything. Maybe they meant they use caramel flavored sauce (because it is thicker than syrup). Well, Lalajava has the sauce too - caramel & pumpkin flavored I believe. I know because I ask! I myself don't like the starbucks, dunkins, etc because I am a real coffee drinker and they are TOO sweet. They are sweet right from the start. Lalajava has great tasting espresso so you actually don't need too much extra flavor. I like to order mochas (espresso with chocolate) & I will sometimes have them add the occasional pistachio, peppermint, vanilla flavoring. I usually have them put one pump less of syrup than they normally use because that is sweet enough for me & I do like a little sweetness..but if you want more, just ask. They are very accommodating and can pretty much make anything you want & how you want it....just open your mouth & ask.
I was in the other day talking with one of the owners & she seemed a little hurt by one or a couple of the reviews so I felt the need to write one myself. I have learned that when people are in a negative mood, they are most likely to want to post negative things & jab people or businesses (bullying behind a screen)....but when people are positive & happy, most don't even think to go to the computer & post a review. I would love for any of you reading this to post a positive review if you feel Lalajava deserves it.
Things cost money. Milk is expensive, gourmet coffee beans are expensive, good chocolate is expensive - even payroll & minimum wage is expensive! So to all of you complaining about $7 for a latte & food..really? If you want cheap gross coffee, go to the gas station. If you want quality stuff, don't complain about paying for it. They aren't thieves trying to charge you outrageous prices; they are trying to stay in business for you.
I used to see delivery trucks delivering to their door, & recently I saw one of the owners go pick up the delivery herself. Of course I asked why not just have it delivered. It is because the delivery company went up in price & they would have had to raise their prices...so instead, they drive to pick it up & unload themselves so YOU don't have to pay more...sacrificing their comfort so prices don't have to be raised and YOU won't have to pay more. & to complain about the shirts for sale is crazy. They are great shirts..if you don't want one dont buy one. If no one deliberately made your experience bad, no reason to try to hurt them on purpose. POSITIVITY!
& yes, Wi-Fi is free!
OH, & one reviewer said that maybe the owners lost touch with the business & customers or that they were uninterested. The owners are in pretty much every day - week day & weekend. I've seen both owners in AND their kids AND their grandkids. It's definitely a family place & they definitely pay very close attention & take pride in their store & customers. I don't think I've ever known them to take a vacation. Their kids joke that all they talk about is the shop! Even at the dinner table they are planning what to do next, how to fix something, what new products customers would like. So to say they're uninterested is bizarre & made me wonder who's posting on this site.
I see reviews about how amazing, friendly, & attentive the staff is and then I see some about how uninterested & "blah" they are. Well, they can't be both & I know for a fact they are friendly & definitely not "blah". This makes me wonder who is posting & what their grudge is about? People or other businesses sabotaging? Also, they hire high school kids looking for work experience. I can't imagine how difficult it is to train a teen how to be responsible & friendly no matter what is going to in their lives. I know how I was as a teen...always late to work & not always with the best attitude because I was too cool! LOL ;) The young staff at Lalajava have amazing attitudes and always seem happy like they are loving life and work - that has always told me a lot about the business & how the owners run it!
Good job, Lalajava! :) read more