COBS Bread — Restaurant in St. Thomas

I like this place. Not for the bread (although it's hands-down the best bread you can buy), but for the people there. Although they've always been genuinely friendly (not the fake friendly of most retail stores), that's not the reason.

The first time they struck me as different was when I went in for something to go with a butternut squash soup I had made my wife. She was under the weather, and that soup was a guaranteed mood lifter. Now, I don't know the lady's name who helped me, but she asked about the soup, and when I told her why I had made it, she bagged up a couple of delicious sweet treats and asked that I give them to my wife to help her feel better.

Today, I went in for some sourdough bread and was given a loaf 'on the house.' The reason? "Because I just felt like it." Now, you might say that the occasional freebie is just a marketing ploy, and you could be right, but I think it's more than that. I think the people who work in this location (St Thomas, by the way) 'get' it. They understand what it's like to be part of a community and the give-and-take that comes with it. They go beyond what's expected and make everyone who comes into the store feel welcome ... no, more than that. They make everyone feel at home. We need more of that, and Cobs is leading the way. I appreciate them and will visit often....

I was disappointed and had higher expectations. Bought a cheese pull apart and a raspberry custard teatime Dec 22, 2022. Just after several bakers left after staying for 4 hours beyond their shift. Koodos to them ! I asked if the cheese bread had lots of cheese throughout the loaf and was assured it did. The rather small loaf and large price meant to me that it should. Took it home sliced into it three times and found nothing but bread…no cheese. The cheese on the cheese bread is only on the surface. When it is cut there is no cheese visible inside. It’s fresh so it’s good that way but by no means is it worth what they are asking if this is representative of it. The raspberry custard teatime looked and sounded amazing. It had NO custard anywhere within it AT ALL. Just some raspberries that had gone all soggy and butter washed bread. Two bites out of it and an investigation for custard lead to it all being tossed in the trash. It was tasteless to the point of being inedible. I’ll be buying cheese bread from Metro and going to Boxcar donuts for baked treats. Won’t likely be back after the first trip unfortunately. Looks great sounds great didn’t deliver...

It is so important to understand that first impressions often make a lasting impression. My friend and I entered the COBS store at the new location on Talbot Street in St. Thomas, Ontario. There was a bit of a wait because there were customers being served. One of the cashiers was super pleasant to a customer before us who had completed a purchase, so that cashier became available. Being the next customers in line, she looked directly at us, left her till and walked over to chat with another cashier. After a few moments, she glanced around the room. Realizing we were still waiting for service, she yelled "I can help whoever is next in line." Needless to say, we left the store without making a purchase and will probably never return there. Customer service is key. Trauma is real. Owners, please train your employees to know and understand that money is money. No matter who it comes...