The Laughing Bean Coffee Co. — Restaurant in Vancouver

I used to go here frequently. When I was young and first started attending and living at SFU, I'd always try to stop off at The Laughing Bean on that SFU-downtown express bus. Being from the suburbs, I had heard many (often contradictory) things about Vancouver, and East Van in particular, but The Laughing Bean seemed to represent all the good notions I'd been led to believe existed in my new home: community, sharing, warmth, love and fun. I'm not sure I'll ever forget the feeling of being young, being new to the city, looking fly in my thrifted scarf, and walking out of the cold December air and into The Laughing Bean. Young families, struggling artists going nuts over their painstakingly written words, nervous teenagers dying to see the world, older folks lounging, reading and reminiscing... Everyone was welcome. And I was welcome. I'd never felt so welcome.

Life is different now. I'm middle-aged, I'm cynical, I'm beaten down, like so many of us are. I don't think that bus line even exists anymore. Decembers aren't so cold these days, and the simple truth is that stepping in from 5° just doesn't provide the same relief as stepping in from 1° once did.

But I still make sure to go grab an Eastside Fog at the Bean every once in a while. They're all still smiling. And I still feel welcome. I don't know if this world is going to turn out alright. I really truly just don't know anymore. All I know is that if it does, it'll be the sorts of people that keep places like The Laughing Bean going, both workers and patrons, that will be the catalysts. So if you're in the neighborhood, and you're feeling down, and I sure as hell can't blame you for that... Consider popping inside The Laughing Bean. The energy in there might make things alright for a little while. I know it still...

I got weird vibes from the staff there. Almost like they were annoyed. Mediocre sandwich for over $8. The baked goods looked good, maybe that’s more their specialty. I also felt it was rude after over hearing a man accidentally asks for a double double and staff responded by saying “this isn’t tim hortons” ..seeing the guy appearing embarrassed and saying I’m sorry. We all know what a double double is anyway. I could also hear the staff asking for a day off and the owner lecturing him about the expectations of working at the cafe. These conversations should be done privately, not in front in your customers.

Response to the owner. Clearly this customer wasn’t feeling it was Tongue and cheek, he clearly looked belittled and then apologized to the staff. Perhaps using a different tone of voice would direct the humour your going for with customers? As for the sandwich comment, I figured you be curious as to why I felt that way about the quality but it seems like your comment went a different way . and confirmed the vibes I experienced from The staff to begin with. Perhaps reviewing graceful professionalism would benefit your store....

[Update after establishment reply]: As you can see by the answer of the owner, which probably is the same lady, they preferred to focus on the parking, which is not really an issue since everyone who goes can understand and will see it is what it is. FYI…Google asks the parking lot for other people to be informed, and they can plan if they will be driving

Anyway if you will be going to this cafe you will know what you can expect from the lady.

Coffee is Average at best!

The lady taking the order was very nice and she seems to enjoy what she does; however, one of the other women didn’t seem to be enjoying working today. The bathroom says to ask the barista for the key. I did that. The woman with a piercing on her nose and reading glasses over her head said, “Can’t do it all for you,” pointing to where it was. The thing is that it is not visible since it is hanging by the side and camouflaged with the wood cabinet. Maybe put a yellow sign with an arrow pointing to the key. In the 35 minutes I spent here, the same thing happened to...