Forgive the long winded review, but it's necessary. Looking at these reviews, my experience wasn't a one off and the owner, Crystal Babbin, wasn't just having a bad day....she's an unhappy, rude person who takes out her anger on everyone around her. I've purchased from this shop in the past and after my experience today, I definitely won't be back. I went in with my fiancè to buy coffee and I asked if she could grind it for me. She did, though she looked annoyed about it.
When she finished, I thanked her for grinding the beans for me and asked if I could have a bag. Behind the counter I saw plastic bags with handles so that's what I expected to get, but instead I got a paper bag with no handles. Normally, no biggie, but today I was riding my bike 8 miles home.
When I asked if I could have a bag with handles, she rolled her eyes, scoffed and ripped the bag out of my hand. She then brings me a used ice bag that's still wet on the inside. Obviously, I was confused and asked if I could just have a regular plastic bag. She proceeds to tell me that she gave me a bag already, and then asked "what do you want?" While throwing her fit, she also throws a very small plastic bag at me which doesn't fit the 1lb grinded coffee beans I had just purchased. I then said "all I want is one of those plastic bags I can see right behind the counter." From there, it gets more laughable and much, much worse.
She grabs a regular sized plastic bag, throws it at me, demands that I leave her store or she's going to call the cops. At this point, I've had it and I'm getting my money back because the "small business" that I just supported absolutely does not deserve to profit off of me after her embarrassing outburst. She refuses to refund my money and I said I'd happily wait for the cops that she called. She continues to scream and tell me that she gave me everything I asked for and to get out of her store. Now people already in the store are looking concerned and telling me that they fully support me and that I don't deserve to be treated this way.
The owner again tells me to leave and walks up in my face looking like she's going to get physical with me and says "get the fuck out of her store." Again, I'll leave when you give me my money back...so she takes the card out of my hand and proceeds to pretend to refund me. I asked for a receipt and again, she responds by telling me that I got what I wanted and to get out of her store. Good thing I didn't leave because she lied and did not refund anything. She continues to ignore me while making coffee behind the counter for someone else that she knows based on the conversation.
Standing by the fudge, I then ask her employee for the receipt and she says "I'm so sorry but I can't get in the middle of this."
The owner says to "take the coffee and go." I told her again that I'll leave once she gives me proof of the refund. She looks like she's going to have a stroke at this point, tells me to give her my card (again) and this time she actually refunds my money, but not without the commentary to which she asks "what the hell else do you want?" I told her the only thing better than a refund would be for her store to go out of business. She didn't like that, but it's what she deserves.
Anyways, she finishes the refund and hands me the receipt, but she failed to give me back my card so we argued for another minute about that until she goes to the back of her store to get my credit card that she in fact still had.
Then, I happily left the store. I feel terrible for the employee who was working today and I truly hope she can find a better job without a boss who harasses staff and customers. As a Pentwater local, this business needs to get out of my town. The behavior by the owner was absolutely ridiculous and there's no room for her disrespect and poor attitude here. This store has been in our community for years and the previous owners of this business would be astounded by this behavior.
I don't recommend supporting this business. There are plenty of other great local spots to spend your money. read more