Rise Above Bakery — Restaurant in Greenfield

I really appreciate these folks opening a bakery here in Greenfield, I really want them to succeed and I really want them to stay. I will certainly be back again as I don't give up so easily, but first impressions were not so great. I visited once a few weeks ago on a weekday morning about 10am or so. I was looking for a quiet place to sit and read the newspaper, drink some coffee and have a good pastry. First of all, it wasn't quiet. Not that I have anything against mother's and children...I have been a mother and am currently a grandmother....but it appears that the owners have tried to make this place open and family friendly, which is to be commended, but it is on the smallish side and with lots of children running around (loudly) for the entire time I was there, made it not exceptionally pleasant.I don't know if this is typical, but it was my experience. It was also incredibly HOT, clearly no air conditioning and the kitchen appears to be open to the dining area. This is what ultimately drove me out and why I am hesitant to go back until the weather cools off. They also seemed understaffed, unorganized, perhaps poorly trained? Maybe just the growing pains of a new business. But there was no coffee when I arrived, although they were making it and they did bring it to me when it was ready. I can't remember the name of the pastry I had, but it was good. I was never able to find a napkin however, or get anyone to help me find one, which was frustrating. All in all, not a great first impression, but the potential is good. I will try again and hope things...

I'm in western MA for the weekend and went looking for a bakery. I happened upon Rise Above. I was looking for a cake, which they don't do. But while I was in there I decided to get a few other things. And honestly, if you are THIS good at bread, don't waste time on cake. These bagels are otherworldly. They are so soft that I couldnt even bring myself to toast them. I didn't personally try the chocolate croissant, but my husband has said, "oh! Wow!" three times now. Some of the reviews mentioned that they staff were short tempered. That was not my experience. They were busy! Like, line out the door at 10am and it clearly had not stopped all morning. They were quick, they didn't stop to make small talk, the weren't amusement park friendly, but they were not anywhere close to rude. They were busy and they moved through a line of 10 people in under 5 minutes. Have you ever seen the Seinfeld soup episode? Yeah, even if they had been nasty (which they were not) the bread would still have been worth it. I don't know when I'll be back out this way again, but if I ever get the chance to, I will be stopping at Rise Above. Well...

Their baked goods are pretty good! Tried a few of their smaller items, which admittedly are a bit pricey, but I'm willing to spend money for local businesses with fresh items. When I personally went in, it was in the middle of the summer heat wave, and they didn't seem to have air conditioning, or at least it wasn't working. The seating area is not separated from the ovens, and the entire place seemed to be in a haze of smoke. Not a great look/experience for a bakery. Those examples aside, my wife went in just this past weekend hoping to purchase a gift card, and was rudely told to come back later, as filling the purchase would disrupt the line, and was told to come back later. I get that they were probably busy, but my wife also stood in that line and was willing to pay them money, so I'm not clear as to how that would have been a disruption...Anyway, it's a new business, they seem to be doing well, but don't be surprised to be told to come back later if they are too busy, even if you are willing to give them money to keep their business open (which they don't seem to need that much if they can turn...