Fretboard Coffee — Restaurant in Columbia Township

My experience at Fretboard left a lot to be desired. I visited family in May in Columbia for the first time in 18 months and went to Fretboard on a Saturday morning. The outdoor seating was in abundance but the only table in the shade was occupied. All other seats were dirty with bird droppings, so we cleaned them ourselves with paper towels from the restroom. It seemed there was only one employee but it was sufficient coverage given there was only one other group besides the three of us. We ordered at the window from a barista with grotesquely long finger nails. From my experience in the food service industry, I know this is a hygiene issue, and was unappealing as a customer knowing the employee was preparing food and drinks. We stepped away from the window and stood near a bench that was quite dirty to wait for our coffee and food. As we cleaned the bench to sit down, the barista rushed over with two of our drinks and demanded we come to the window to collect our order. This interrupted our conversation, and we had a lot to talk about as we hadn't seen one another in nearly two years, and we stood in shock of their rude behavior. The barista rushed back a second time and hurriedly placed the rest of the order on a dirty table near us. Without saying anything, they rushed back to the window to serve the two customers who had formed a line. I understand being the only employee at the time is difficult, but there were very few customers and nobody seemed to be in a hurry. The staff member was rude and hygiene practices need to be evaluated. Next time I travel 1000+ miles across the country to visit my family, I won't return...

Fretboard is my favorite coffee place in town! They make great coffee drinks, I typically order a mocha and they always taste amazing! As someone who always orders iced drinks, I really like that they often have the option to have coffee ice cubes in your drink so that it gets stronger as it melts instead of watering it down.

The atmosphere is really cozy and perfect for a small coffee shop. The staff are always relaxed and friendly. I can see how some people might have a hard time finding it, but I feel like that adds to the experience of this place. One of their entrances is in the alleyway facing the bus station and the other follows a little pathway through a garden between two other shops (they usually have a sign on the sidewalk that directs you where to go).

I also really appreciate that they started having customers put a lid and straw on their own drinks since I really care about sustainability and being less wasteful and giving me that choice makes it easier for me to waste less plastic. Edit: Since I wrote this review they've started using some certified Biodegradable plastic cups from World Centric. These need a commercial composting facility to biodegrade which I don't think we have in Columbia but its really cool to see them actively making changes with the...

Fretboard Coffee is a double hit of happiness: 1) They roast the best beans in town, period. 2) They provide the perfect atmosphere in a coffee shop. Some coffee shops have a great atmosphere but their coffee is lackluster. Some coffee shops have amazing coffee but you feel like you're sitting in a mall. At Fretboard, you get the best possible experience. It has a dark, cozy, cave-like atmosphere. It rambles through the former "catacombs" by the Wabash Station. In addition to its cozy inside, they have a lovely outside seating area (with a great local bakery next door). They serve amazing coffee and tea, treats from aforementioned local bakery and local beer. What more do you need? Well, outlets. They've got those. Wifi. They have that. Comfortable couches? Yep. Tables to work on? Yes. Weird regulars? Yes, I might be one now. Inexplicable twinkle lights? Of course. Seriously though. I love Fretboard. If you haven't found it...