Postby jessknits » Thu Oct 17, 2013 1:28 pm
What a storm in a …coffee cup. (Sorry, really corny analogy I know).
It’s a shame that the original poster appears to have had such an experience. At the same time it’s a shame that a local and independent small business has been represented in an apparently unbalanced way. Especially when the majority of NappyValley members recognise the special quality of where we live in still having unique and independent businesses serving us.
As for people worrying about Birdhouse losing business - to be honest, steering clear of a business due to a subjective review of a one-off incident rather than trying it for themselves, seems a bit sheltered really. Customer service by nature is varied, and of course open to interpretation. (By that I don’t mean to downplay that this appears to have been stressful for all involved - with balance, in the 'first world problem' sense of the word).
In my experience (which is of course just my individual experience and opinion) they are a unique little café, making brilliant coffee and food, with a great atmosphere and hard working staff.
To the claims they’re not child-friendly (also entirely subjective I realise, but I’d like to offer my alternative perspective) – I go in all the time with my little ones and I’ve never experienced anything other than friendly, attentive service, with my little ones being made a fuss-of. The amenities may not be child-friendly, but is to be expected given the small space – the same could be said for many small cafes on Northcote Rd. Not wanting to stir up the ‘entitled’ debate, but I have witnessed some parents, without really thinking, trying to park huge prams in the entry-way/ walkway there, or let their children run up and down inside – it isn’t just inconvenient, it’s unsafe (staff need to walk past constantly with hot drinks etc and the door opens out to the busy road all the time).
And they do accept cards - with a minimum charge as common with most small businesses.
Agree that this should probably be put to bed now.