Brew It Boutique - Kanata — Restaurant in Ottawa

TLDR: Store sells past “best by” date food items and will kick you out if you point it out.

I went into the Kanata store today (Dec 30, 2024, around noon) intending to purchase a Torani syrup and asked for assistance when I couldn’t find a particular flavour. The employee (or owner, not sure) helped me find it, grabbed one off the shelf for me, and started carrying it to the counter. Knowing they do try to sell things past BB date, I wanted to hold off for a moment because I wanted to check the date on the bottle, but she was clutching it close to her body. Instead, I looked at the other bottles and noticed one at the front had a 2027 date, and the other (behind the one she had grabbed) said 2026. Not too much of a difference but my household goes through them very slowly.

The following is almost word for word our conversation from that point: Me: Oh, I wanted to grab one with a longer shelf life. Her: They’re all the same. red flag: an obvious lie Me: Um, I see there are a couple different ones, I think I want one that says 2027. Her: You can’t buy that one. I have to sell you this first so I don’t have to put them on the blow out counter. note: if I had found the flavour first, I would have grabbed the 2027 one anyway and taken it to the check out counter myself Me: But you have expired ones over there. Her: Yes that’s why I have to sell you this first. Me: But you can’t sell expired ones? Her: Yes I can. Me: No you can’t? Her (very aggressively): Get out of my store.

I wasn’t looking to pick a fight, and at that point I didn’t even want to buy anything from there, so I left.

I worked in a retail store that sold food for 6 years and we always pulled past BB dates off the shelves, so I did genuinely think you couldn’t, but it’s possible I just worked for a store that was way more hygienic than this one. I looked into it after, and while it’s not illegal, it sure is unethical and questionable. Furthermore, her behaviour was entirely inappropriate and frankly, suspicious.

I concede it’s her right to ask me to leave if she’d like (which I promptly did without further argument), as is my right to leave this review detailing this troubling and upsetting incident. I was absolutely shocked at her aggressiveness and anger, and how quickly she escalated the conversation. I’ve never in my life been asked to leave a store or been treated that way by customer service. To the employee, if you’re reading this: I’d strongly urge you to find a different line of work, ideally something that doesn’t involve interacting with the general public.

See attached photos of some past BB syrups they try to sell at a (laughable) discount, ranging from 2 months past date to 20 (yes, 20!) months. I should also add that there isn’t clear signage indicating that these products are past date. Some of the worst were: April 2023 (Honey), Jan 2024 (Peanut butter), Feb 2024 (orange), March 2024 (Huckleberry, tangerine) - all visible...

I placed a fairly large order (14 bottles of syrup) and they came damaged. There was very little protective packaging in the order, the box was soaked with syrup, sent many photos of each step of the unboxing and the fact that only four out of 14 bottles were still ok. Gave the paperwork from the shipping company regarding the damaged parcel. First off the owner wells rude and hard to deal with, accused me of bothering him, would not receive any phone calls through the store or cell. I had to continually contact and question before I received a partial refund (I suppose I should be satisfied that I received something) yet the owner/operator admitted he received complete compensation for the whole order from the shipping company, he refused to refund for any of the shipping that he was refunded for and only gave a partial refund for what wasn’t received. This process took over a week and I had to keep everything from the sticky box and broken, leaking bottles for days and had to take a photo of them before I could dispose of them, then the promised refund still took days to receive and it was less than it was supposed to be.

Never never again!!! I would give negative or zero stars...

My family and I have been visiting this small business for the last 2 years. I had a very upsetting visit today. After stopping to grab a prescription from shoppers I stopped in quickly to grab some coffee beans as we are out at our house. After having just stepped in the door the owner said "are you seriously bringing a child in here?!" Referring to my 4 year old well behaved son. This was hurtful and extremely judgmental on his part as a) I was there to shop local and support a small business during these hard times and b) what other choice did I have? Schools and daycares are closed and I won't leave him in the car alone. My son and I left the store and I burst into tears- never have I felt so judged as a mother or so scolded as a customer.

I will not be returning to this store nor will I be recommending it to friends and colleagues.

I understand everyone is worried for their health and safety, but we would not be out if we were unhealthy and this fear does not give people an excuse...