Knowledge Perk Coffee Company — Restaurant in Columbia

I have been getting coffee from the Knowledge Perk Columbia location since their first day opening. KP is my ride or die coffee shop so much that they know my name and exactly what I want as soon as I walk in. I do try to switch it up sometimes though! Fatima and all the baristas are wonderful and kind even when they might be having a difficult day themselves. I’ve experienced KP at peak and non-peak times and their quality is beyond consistent. Yes, sometimes you may have to wait if they are low-staffed and experiencing an unusually high volume of customers—people can only do so much at one time. They treat all their customers with the utmost grace and care. I also love how substantial their bagels are. Love has to be an ingredient I just know it. My favorite lattes are the lavender and seasonal mochas (cherry, strawberry)!

My one and ONLY gripe/forewarning when recommending folks go to KP is that they are a little expensive. I say that especially because I do NOT want to know how much money I’ve spent as a patron and rewards member! If I did not enjoy their lattes SO MUCH believe me I would not fork over the money with tip. But I do enjoy their lattes and food that much. I can only hope the reason their prices are high is to maintain a high quality product and treat their employees well.

TLDR; I pass by many coffee shops on my way to work, but Knowledge Perk is...

Lord, I’ve been waiting for this property to become something other than a rundown Victorian-esque relic of yesteryear. The new coffee place didn’t disappoint.

The decor is simple which is good. To retain the character of what it was would be kinda….uh…no. Most of us locals knew the property as a former funeral home, and there’s likely little interest to pay homage to that. What would they sell? Casket Cappuccino, Haunted Habanero Latte, or Ghost Toast? The answer is D, none of the above!

The new place is well done, clean, has ample parking, and plenty of seating space. I also like that the coffee is local to South Carolina.

I had the Filthy Chai (a dirty chai with two shots) which was pretty good. It came out quick and the staff was kind.

I plan on...

I wanted this to be my spot for breakfast and coffee while I'm here in town for work for the next month, but I will pass. The house is beautiful, not clean, though. The couches in there have what looks like months of pastries and bagel seasoning in the crevices. The rug under those couches needs to be trashed, dirty, and falling apart. Doesn't looked ever swept under couches. Bathroom gross. The girls working were not friendly at all. I said thank you, good morning, smiled met with no personality, even when I said bye and thank you, not a word just looked so I said it again and one of them acknowledged me. Another customer even said, "You don't come here for the service, just the house and coffee when he...