Bean Around The World — Restaurant in Vancouver

Easily the worst customer service experience I've had at a coffee shop. August 10th, during the mural festival, I was waiting for the bathroom while my partner was ordering a coffee (it was not overly busy in there, he was the only one being helped/waiting for a drink). The women's bathroom opened and the lady that came out said there was no toilet paper. She remained by the door, and clearly wasn't done in there, so I told the cashier, "the lady that just stepped out of the bathroom said there's no toilet paper in there." The cashier told me, "You can use the men's bathroom. We'll fill it later." (Men's room was occupied, and the issue was not about me needing to use the facilities at that point) The cashier was too "busy" looking through receipts to even LOOK over to the bathrooms to see the lady still standing there, visibly very uncomfortable. The lady asked me what the cashier said, and I repeated it for her. She was as taken aback as I was to not be assisted in any way. Eventually the men's room opened, and she went in there, which in turn left the gentleman who came out of there very confused (the bathrooms have keys, and the lady didn't take the men's room key, just booked it in there once she got the chance). I never ended up using the bathroom because I didn't want to remain in there once my bf received his order (the barista was great, no complaints there). Absolutely deplorable to see the lack of service, or even basic customer care. I've worked in the service industry a long time. I get whatever background there may have been to the cashier's day, but this was...

I was surprised when I found out recently the owner sold this business, I had no idea this was happening and the reason for the reno. I've been going to this place since they first opened but more frequently within the last 4 years mainly for the atmosphere. It was one of a kind and was one of the very few (if not only) coffee houses open til midnight. I am happy I was able to go on the last evening before it closed for renovations. I know people move on and that's life, but a new owner doesn't have to completely change a popular spot, keep what works going. At the very least give it more character and pick colors that promote a cozy atmospheric feel like deep and earthy moody colors, not plain sterile ones associated with medical purity. New does not have to be boring and lack warmth and this new look will be of little interest for a lot of people. I have only been to it a few times since it reopened and both times the place was mostly empty and only saw 1 regular who looked as out of place as I felt. The vibe and positive energy of the place is gone. My latte had no heart (literally) in it but even without the art in the foam it still tasted the same. Still, it just felt strange being there not seeing all the regulars and familiar baristas. Taking away the loyalty stamped coffee cards was also very lame. Nothing stays good...

I genuinely love the menu items at this place, and the items are pretty reasonably priced for the area. It's a nice cafe to stop by if you have an hour or two to kill, but they have GOT to get better about staffing their front counter. They only ever have one person taking and preparing orders, and as soon as they take an order, they prepare it from start to finish without acknowledging any new customers. If I come in for a quick grab and go muffin or pastry on my way to work, and I see ANYONE else in line or being served, I usually leave immediately, because I know it will guaranteed be at least 10 minutes before someone even says hello, or so much as "sorry, it'll be a few". A few times I have chanced it when someone else was waiting for their food/beverage and I've had more than 15min to spare to wait, and a good 80% of those times I've had to leave without ordering, so as not to be late. I would legitimately rather order food or coffee from Bean than any other coffee shop or bakery in the area other than maybe Thierry, but for now the only alternative that makes sense is either Mira's or Cobb's for a...