If I could choose less than 1 star I would. Since the new Manager took over at Williamsport Starbucks a year or two ago, the service has gone downhill fast. In fairness to her, maybe the way they do things now is not dictated by her, but by corporate, i don't know. But, I don't run into these issues in Lewisburg, Selinsgrove or any other Starbucks locations.
In Williamsport, the drive thru is everything to them. Customers that come inside, are treated disrespectfully,rudely, and ignored like we are a nuisance. That attitude doesn't come from one specific barista, but almost all of them. This specific locatioin is a revolving door of employees for the last couple of years, and I have been going there since the day they opened that location.
There have been numerous times (before covid), that I would come in, be the only person at the counter waiting to be served, and have waited up to 8 minutes for someone to stop filling ice, or checking stock, or filling up empty shelves, or helping the drive thru, or or or or. Name it, it doesn't matter. Then, once the order is placed, its a crap shoot on how long it will take to receive your order, and if your order will be correct. In January of this year (2020) i was the only person in line, one car in the drive thru, and it took 7 minutes to be waited on for a cup of black coffee, and another 7 minutes after ordering it, to receive it. Yes it was ready, and not a pour over. The barista took my order, then started preparing food for the drive thru car, rather than getting my my coffee. Another time, I ordered a simple "Flat White", that with only one order in front of me, took 20 minutes to get my coffee.
The service is the worst of any Starbucks I have been to, and I travel all over the country on business.
Cleanliness. Again, another weak spot in Williamsport. I have taken pictures of the bathroom trash cans overflowing with garbage in the evenings, and upon returning in the morning, it's the same. I've sent pictures of things like this, or trash on the floor in the dining area, that has been laying there for days, or dust so thick on the window ledges, it looks like it hasn't been dusted in months. It goes on and on. Upon sending these pictures to corporate or e-mailing them to make them aware of service or cleanliness issues, I typically get a return call quickly (to their credit). Their response to me is usually to try to give me free Starbucks cards to use there, of which I always refuse. Like i tell them, I'm not telling you all of this to get free stuff from you, I'd like you to fix the systemic problems of horrible and unfriendly service and bad management here.
I have since decided to spend my money at Backhouse Coffee shop on 4th and Maynard, as they are a privately owned company, extremely friendly, fantastic service, food and coffee, always clean and inviting and enjoyable. I highly recommend, if you are seeking out a new spot for coffee.
I've been supporting Williamsport Starbucks for many years. I may possibly stop in occasionally in the future for an occasional flat white, but 99.999% of the time, I will be supporting my coffee addiction at Backhouse. read more
