This morning I stopped at Fresh Grounds, a coffee shop on W. 7th in St. Paul, on my way to work. Kory had recommended the place to me as it had good coffee, decent food, wifi and a nice, clean environment. What really grabbed me this morning and finally made me stop was the sign next to the building that read: “STOP IN FOR $2 LATTES on Tuesdays and Thursdays” and I thought, “Hot Damn! $2 lattes!” and pulled in.
This is what the place looks like:
When I walked in, I was greated by a young dude with braids and a small woman with an unfortunate, obvious case of meth-mouth.
Young dude: Good morning! What can I get you?
Me: Good morning! A skim latte, to go, please.
Woman: What size?
Me: The $2 size. *grinning foolishly*
They, in unison: EVERY SIZE IS A TWO DOLLAR LATTE TODAY!!! (joyously!)
Me: Well, then, the biggest size $2 latte that you have!! (also joyous!)
Dude: Ma’am, would you like anything else today?
Me: (In the mode) Yes, sir. I would also like one of your bagel/cream cheese packets. ($1.50, by the way)
Dude: Absolutely, ma’am. That’ll be $3.50.
I hand him a fiver and dump the change into the tip jar and I start wandering around by the hanging photography they have for sale. I am only mildly concerned with the ma’am-ing. “I’m not old”, I tell myself. “Of course you aren’t!”, I respond back to myself. I’m only mildly concerned that I agree with myself…
The photography appears to be one of two things at the moment: pictures of live moose OR psychedelically developed pictures of calla lillies to look like they have combined with neon, checkerboards and 1983. They all say, “LIMITED EDITION!” on them and have pricetags around $60.
I heard a little shuffle behind me and the Dude was back.
“Ma’am,” he says, “Here’s your latte.”… and he’s holding it like one would hold a Fabrege Egg or perhaps, the next item up for bid…
“Aren’t you sweet?!”, I say. (because for some reason, I insist in becoming like Aunt Bea when young people act like decent human beings) “Thanks for bringing that to me! I was just waiting for someone to yell out ‘Skim Latte!’ like most other coffee shops”
He smiled shyly. The woman hollers, “We aren’t like other coffee shops!” and then laughs heartily, showing all of her brown little tooth nubs… and then I notice my coffee is in a Starbucks cup. With a Starbucks sleeve.
And then I notice the sign on the wall about how Fresh Grounds is a second chance for at-risk youth to learn on-the-job skills and Starbucks and other local vendors support them by providing the coffee and food… and then the staff and the art and everything else made a little more sense. …
You can read about them here: http://www.freshgroundscoffee.com/
Stop by if you are in St. Paul… it’s nice to support these types of businesses and get cheap coffee. It’s also sort of refreshing to have your coffee presented to you without the slightest air of pretension, piercings or patchouli.
This is where my Realtor suggested we meet to draw up the purchase agreement for the offer on my house.
I don’t quite get why this forces you to like Starbucks, though.
Comment by Matt — March 25, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
I’m starting to find it charming to be called “ma’am” by 20 year old dudes…. because they are starting to look like tiny little kids to me now…. like I just want to pinch their cheeks and tell them how cute they are. “I’m not old.” “Of course you’re not, Krista.” Uhh, yeah.
Comment by Krista — March 26, 2008 @ 7:53 am
… because Starbucks donated all the coffee, machines and paper products to the shop.
I don’t have to love Starbucks or anything, I just feel less inclined to severely dislike them.
Comment by denise — March 26, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Truthfully, I kind of like Starbucks a lot. Did you know they give health benefits to part time workers? Who can’t use a little health care? I mean really, if you are going to be a big corporate machine, keeping your workers healthy is a good idea.
Plus, Lattes are YUMMY!!!
Gabbi
PS I am Danielle’s friend and I saw your blog on her blog and I am now officially hooked to both!
Comment by Gabbi — March 27, 2008 @ 11:57 am
W. 7th must be the place for second chances & recovery. Next time you can try this place! http://www.daybyday.com
Comment by Dani D — March 27, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
I love your view of Fresh Grounds. I too love the place and spend a lot of my free time writing in there. I was upset by the comment about the gals teeth. She is such a sweet heart! I can’t imagine making such a rude comment about her. She would run a mile to help you!
Comment by Peter — June 17, 2008 @ 10:30 am
I read your review of Fresh Grounds with interest because I love the place and admire their mission. You seemed pleased and happy. I do, however, think your comment about a barrista’s teeth was uncalled for, mean spirited and down right rude. You’re no Aunt Bea. How dare you. You don’t know this person’s personal history: maybe she grew up in povery and had no dental care. Maybe she puts the needs of her children before her own. Maybe she’s the kindest, sweetest person; by the way, she would never say a spiteful or unkind word about anyone. Are you perfect? Write an apology.
Comment by Annette Mayers — June 19, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
[…] inclined to do. I admit it. However, after several comments that I have been unkind I wanted to re-read the post and try to be […]
Pingback by Fresh Grounds, Fresh Perspective. » deeples — June 20, 2008 @ 8:14 am
As the manager of Fresh Grounds i want to say that i am very proud of both employees you speak about! They have done a wonderful job for Fresh Grounds. I can not believe that in this day and age someone as enlightened as you appear to be would write such terrible things as “clear case of meth mouth” and then end your blog with “It’s also sort of refreshing to have your coffee presented to you without the slightest air of pretension, piercings or patchouli.” I can’t help but wonder who suffers from pretension?
I would invite you to come to the shop and meet the people you have judged by their looks a little more indepth! I would love to buy you a cup of coffee and try and educate you on what these people have been through and continue to go through just to get to work every day!
Comment by John Richards — June 20, 2008 @ 6:34 pm
All – I am guessing that perhaps a link to this specific blog was sent to you, rather than the whole site. I HAVE issued an apology in a separate blog called, “Fresh Grounds, fresh perspective.”
While it’s not my policy, typically, to apologize for things I write… I did make the (correct) choice to publish each of your comments as well as write an apology.
It was never my intention to be hurtful – I should have been more thoughtful and respectful of real people, living in the real world.
It’s an important lesson for any blogger that what you write should be something you would not be ashamed to say to someone’s face.
I am terribly sorry that I have hurt anyone.
Comment by denise — June 21, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
It takes a very big person to do what you have done. I went and read your entire blog about Fresh Grounds and Thank you for taking the time to correct this. I can understand writing something and later having it bite you in the backside. I hoe you have a wonderful summer!
John Richards
Fresh Grounds Cafe Manger
Comment by John Richards — June 22, 2008 @ 5:54 am
This makes me bored.
Comment by Dani D — June 24, 2008 @ 12:16 pm
LOL Dani. Maybe the Brueggers Mafia are coming after me, too.
Comment by denise — June 24, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
I’m sure Brueggers does not care what people say about their employees like this guy does. And their coffee is not as good.
Comment by Peter — July 1, 2008 @ 7:09 am