Uplift Baldwin — Restaurant in Baldwin City

Since Uplift has taken over 133 Coffee, it’s been improved monetarily but unfortunately that has not translated to quality of coffee - the main reason you go to a specialty coffeeshop and not a Starbucks. This past week I’ve visited to see how it’s been changed and I was unfortunately very disappointed.

Firstly, I ordered a drip coffee. An 8oz drip coffee is now $3.28 total. Which is more than double what it used to be. I understand prices go up - but if you want to argue that prices go up with inflation, then why does quality also go down? They no longer use Messenger coffee single origin coffees. They use Cuvee blends. I hate to stomp on Cuvées party, but if it was as good as Messenger I’d likely not have cared too much. The combination of it being double in price - and way lesser in quality is a punch in the gut. Region based comparison here: they charge what 1900 Barker in Lawrence charges for drip - but 1900 Barker uses Onyx Coffee and more often than not it’s a single origin. Cuvée tastes like coffee at home. Onyx tastes like you went to a specialty coffeeshop. In short, I’d spend the money if it was good. But it’s not.

Unfortunately they are in a transitional period - so they took down the old menu which had the prices. Which means I didn’t know I’d be paying double for drip. I also didn’t see the menu as it was at my feet below the counter. I’m sure this is just a temporary issue, but sort of scummy in a way. Oh you liked 133? Well how about we increase prices but you only see that at checkout?

I bought nothing other than the drip so I can’t comment on lattes or the like. Just know that this place has fallen into hands that do not care too much. RIP 133. Final time...

I’ve been debating changing my review but I finally can’t justify giving this place anymore than a single star. The new owners took over and it’s obvious that money is their main vision. They need to pull their heads out of their butts and ask their employees what they think about the changes before making them.

1. The new coffee beans are not well received by the community. They are absolutely a downgrade from Messenger.
2. Where are the freaking prices? Why do I have no clue how much I’m paying for a drink? Why was the menu slapped together in 5 minutes and why is it sitting on the ground beneath the bar?
3. why on earth did you guys raise the prices on the americanos? Why is the 12oz americano a different price when the 16oz americano is literally just more hot water? Scummy move on that one for sure
4. The worst change of them all is the disaster of a website. This coffee shop used to use Square and it was superior in every way so far, their new system is aesthetically terrible and functionally much worse than Square. I spent 15 minutes trying everything imaginable on their new website to try and get my coffee ordered and it kept glitching out and telling me to reload the page.
5. small but worth noting: where are the coffee sleeves? Why is it these gross looking brown ones or just none at all?

This all may seem harsh and I apologize for that but these things are extremely annoying to deal with as a customer.

I’d recommend switching back to square, switching coffee beans to a higher quality company, getting white coffee sleeves or anything that isn’t the ugly brown sleeves, and make a menu with prices that...

133 is an awesome local coffee shop in Baldwin City! The owners and employees are extremely friendly, there's a good mix of classic and innovative drink creations, and the design of the actual shop is immaculate. Often, with coffee shops there's a trade-off between good food/drink and a good aesthetic; however, this coffee shop capitalizes on both of these things. They also have offered a variety of events to the community, including a "The Office" Trivia Night, which got a lot of excitement. Next time you're in the Lawrence/Baldwin City area, go spend some time at 133 Coffee and support good, local coffee!

COVID-19 Update: 133 Coffee is open and accommodating of COVID-19 requirements in regard to social distancing. They do a great job of spacing sitting areas in a friendly and gracious manner...