Starbucks

*Edit* I now see there are other complaints and reviews about this location’s poor customer service here on Unilocal,FB, Google, etc. Looks like there is a problem and my experience was not unique.
I had a really terrible experience here with one of the staff members this morning that resulted in her becoming upset, but the Starbucks itself is very clean and the rest of the staff is fantastic!
The team member in question was an African American female who was confused about what I had ordered (the cashier rang it up as an iced Venti White Mocha when it was really a Venti iced macchiato with no syrup or drizzle, so her confusion was understandable and I’m on her side there). They were in the middle of a rush and maybe she didn’t have a great morning, I don’t know. I can understand, I used to work in customer service. The way she asked me about my drink order was so nasty and aggressive, though. She threw her hands around and was speaking is hostile tones and I kept telling her that it is just an Iced Caramel Machiatto without the syrup or drizzle. Her retort was «so you want it layered backwards?» I told her I don’t understand what that means but she rolled her eyes and asked me the same question. Again, I told her I don’t understand what that means but it is just an iced Machiatto, no syrup or drizzle. She kept up with the same attitude after two attempts to diffuse her so I raised my voice at her and told her it is just a drink and not that serious, and that she needs to calm down. Then I explained once again what it is. She slammed some of the stuff in front of her AND ASKED AGAIN IT I WANTED IT BACKWARDS in an even more rude tone?! I told her I didn’t know what that meant and that she needed to watch her attitude because this was getting ridiculous and she should be ashamed she is acting like that. At this point I was being extremely unfriendly in tone myself. There is absolutely NO circumstance in which a person in customer service should ever speak to a customer the way she did without the customer giving prior problems. The other two customers around me were upset with her, but everyone else that didn’t start paying attention until I became hostile understandably felt that I was being a bad patron. So I can see why other staff or customers may have felt that way. I cannot get over how irritating the whole experience was. She broke down in tears as she finished my drink and another barista had to take her spot. I feel terrible she got to that point, but if you are going to give an attitude and speak poorly to customers do not be shocked when they give it back.

Typical Starbucks really. Kind of small but the usual coffee and free WiFi. Only a few plugs but, meh, its a Starbucks. It’s in Ghent which is a pretty chill area.

This is my favorite starbucks in the area. The staff is nice (esp the morning staff during the work week). My husband and I really enjoy the patio area. It also makes a nice stop on the way to the dog park around the corner.

Your usual Starbucks BUT the staff are awesome! Did you know Starbucks does French press or Turkish… They showed me.

I love starbucks, don’t get me wrong. And I have never had problems with any location, but the wifi in this one is awful. I can’t even open my email.
As for the rest, it’s starbucks. What else do I need to say?
But I can’t get over this terrible wifi connection.

if you need a cup of coffee, this starbucks will do. but these baristas seriously need to fix their attitudes! ghent has so many great coffee houses (including the other starbucks location in ghent), there is really no reason to visit this store.

Several months ago, I had a bad experience at this location with a clerk at the register insisting that my caramel macchiato could not be stirred. (I’m paying $ 5 for this espresso drink and you can’t stir it!?!) After that, I was hesitant to go back because I figured they just didn’t know what they were doing so I spent some time enjoying the coffee at their competitor’s place across the street. A 50% off discount code lured me back and I have to say that every experience I have had there since has been solid. The clerks have all been friendly and knowledgeable and the baristas know what they’re doing. The sweeteners and toppings area has been clean every time I have visited. I also noticed they keep a bowl with fresh water outside for local puppies who accompany their owners to the smoke-​free patio when they make a caffeine run. I have also heard rumor that they have given doggies «puppy lattes” — a squirt of whipped cream in a cup. This location is just up the street from my house and I am glad they corrected the earlier issue (or got rid of that clerk, maybe, as I have never seen her again) because now I go there all of the time and it’s great.

Terrible attitudes! The 2 Barista «boys» need lessons in customer service! I will NOT be back! :(

In some stunning Virginia news, all of the local Starbucks now have smoke-​free patios. If you want nicotine and caffeine, you must either go stand outside the fence or cross the street to a local coffee place where they still smoke on the patio.

Came here everyday at 8 AM sharp for a week to check e-​mails and have a cup of joe.
The wi-​fi here is fast and easy to connect to… staff is courteous and friendly. There were a lot of regulars that came through and the staff knew their names and orders right away.
Parking was quite easy… plenty of street parking. I can see it getting crowded during lunch or dinner hour due to the nearby restaurants.
Only drawback to this location is their isn’t much seating… probably can fit up to 15 people max… and even then it’s already squished.
They also have patio seating but it was too cold for anyone to sit outside when I was there.
Drinks are the standard starbuck variety… I had Mocha’s, hot chocolate, and ice tea lemonades. Everything was up to the starbucks standard.
Overall this is a great place to stop by!

I’m not sure how one reviews a single Starbucks. Franchises are all about making their customer experience as similar as possible across all of their locations.
Do I compare it to all of the other Starbucks I’ve been to? If that’s the case, then this one is fantastic as the service has always been quick.
Do I compare it to the fantastic local coffee place right across the street with much more seating or how about the place right over by Cogans that has their coffee roaster IN THE SHOP? I, personally, value local business over national chains any day – but still I find myself coming to Starbucks because I know that I’m going to get my americano fast and I don’t have to cross the street.
I guess I’ll just give place a 4 star review. My justification is that there are a lot of other places to get coffee and I still find myself coming here. Also, they’re renovating – and I like the looks of the new patio.

I have always enjoyed the mocha fraps, free wi-​fi and convenient locations at Starbucks. Yes, I’m a fool — chain chain chain, chain of fools ;)

I visited this store for the first time in April 2007. In the Ghent section of Norfolk, this is a quaint location. Lots of atmosphere here as Starbucks again used an older building and just put their spin on the interior. Outside seating is also available. There are many things going on on Colley Ave.

Very nice staff, very cozy place!

Great Staff and great service! has a local feel that you don’t expect from Starbies. Parking is tough but the visit will make it worth your time.

«This is my Starbucks. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My Starbucks is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
My Starbucks, without me, is useless. Without my Starbucks, I am useless. «
Coffee although not related to war feels a bit similar when I haven’t had my morning cup of joe. This is why I chose to rewrite a classic creed and replace «rifle» with Starbucks. Yes there are probably 376 locations within a square mile of any populated city or town but we all know your local one is ALWAYS better!
What can I say? It’s literally 4 houses down from me on the corner of colley and baldwin. Is proximity a huge bonus points? Hell yes. The fact that I could literally roll out of bed, shuffle down the street and fill my nostrils with the sweet scent of coffee is a huge plus for me, no driving, no biking, just shuffling on in my Pjs if I wanted to.
Big shout out to the staff. Love ‘em, they are the providers for my caffeine fueled 17 credit hours school days plus work. Always friendly and greeting people with a smile, I’ve never felt dissatisfied with their service. Knowing how to say my name and remember? That should be an award in itself, knowing I don’t exactly have the easiest name to pronounce. Now what tops this? Remembering my drink, I know I know your Starbucks might do that too. But the fact that ³⁄₅ locations I’ve recently been to had no idea what a «quad con panna» meant means this location has superior baristas.

The first Starbucks I visited here in Norfolk… I am not particularly fond of the fact that there is hardly any parking spots anywhere! Occasionally they will have some pastries and cakes that are unique. I’m a big fan of their chocolate chocolate chip muffins! mmmm
Frappucino! Almost got addicted but I took one look at the calories and my addiction problems went away!