Alex's Gourmet Market — Restaurant in Independence Charter Township

Where do I even begin? I made a reservation for a Saturday evening 6:00 PM for bowling for a group of six. I spoke with whoever handles reservations for bowling on two separate occasions and received a confirmation text message confirming my reservation the day before my event. It was for my husband’s 35 birthday. We arrived at 6:00 and were seated at a reserved table promptly. I could clearly see all 4 bowling lanes were being used, so I asked our waitress when we’d be bowling, as I had made a two hour bowling reservation from 6:00-8:00. Our waitress (who really tried her hardest and was working her absolute tail off) seemed unsure and vague about when we’d be bowling but said that as soon as the next lane opened it would be ours. We weren’t planning to eat before bowling but did anyway since we were seated at a table with no bowling lanes available. There were multiple parties of 8-12 people in the bowling area and low and behold, only one server for the entire night. More parties came through and were given bowling lanes while we saw our waitress once every 15+ minutes because, again, she was the only server working the entire bowling area with the dining area nearby included. Aside from the fact that she ordered my husband a specific beer three times and he got the wrong beer every time - I suspect this issue was on the bartender’s end. ALMOST THREE HOURS GO BY (and multiple inquires about when we’d be bowling later) we finally get a lane around 8:45pm. Mind you, our bowling time slot was 6:00-8:00 pm. Here’s where the fun really starts. We were out on a bowling lane that didn’t work. The balls would go down the lane and stay there. The pins would knock down but would not reset, ever. We had to wait 15 minutes in between every time we’d tell our waitress that the lane still wasn’t working. Hold your shock, she’s still the only waitress in the area. Eventually after attempting to fix the lane more than once, she switches us to another lane. Surprise! This lane is having the same issue as the lane next to it. So here we go again, waiting 15 minutes at a time to let her know the lane isn’t working, and still isn’t working. At about 9:30pm, I go to the taproom to find a manager to see what the issue is and what is being done to correct it. I have worked in customer service for many many many years, so I know how to speak to a customer service employee with respect and courtesy. I realize sometimes, it’s just out of their hands. That’s not lost on me. When I ask to speak to a manager, a man named Ryan comes to speak to me. I explain to him what is happening with the lanes, I explain that this is a birthday party that I reserved multiple weeks ago, and what is being done or what can be done to fix the issue with the bowling lanes. He literally replies to me, and I quote, “I can take the bowling off your bill.” Lmfao take it off my bill? As if I was going to pay for a service that wasn’t provided to me???? What kind of managerial response is that??? So I respond “that’s it?” And he says “Yes.” With a cold dead look in his eyes like he hates his job as much as he hates everyone on this planet. Honestly I was shocked that this is the response he’s give anyone who just waited 3.5 hours for their bowling reservation and spent over $400 in the meantime on food and drinks. I go back to the bowling area where my party is waiting and wait for the waitress to come by and ask for our tab. I let the waitress know what Ryan had said to me and she went on to explain to me that, not only was Ryan aware that those two lanes were having an issue that Entire day, but that when she recommended they call their reservations and let them know there’s an issue, he said no and that he just hopes we “don’t show up.” So ruining my husband’s birthday party could have been avoided had he done his due diligence as the only manager in the building. To say I’m appalled and disgusted is an understatement. We left the waitress a 50% tip and went on our way. I’d STRONGLY urge you to NEVER plan a...

The selection is excellent, prices are high but honestly I would rather pay more at the smaller places like this than paying less at all of the big chain places.

I used to go to the other Alex’s location on my way home from Grand Blanc a few times a week and was really excited when I found out they were opening a location right around the corner from my house in White Lake.

I went into this new location a handful of times and loved the feel. Unfortunately every time I have gone there so far I have been helped by the rudest staff members. There have been some really nice and polite staff members on the floor asking me if I needed any help finding anything but every time when I get to the checkout counter I am treated like I am inconveniencing them by buying anything.

Today I decided to check out the cafe/juice bar after seeing a sign for it when I walked in. I could see the girls working there from where I was standing at the counter. They were talking around the corner. After a little while one of them said “I will be with you in a minute.” I responded with “Alright, thanks.” Soon after she came out and just looked at me. I said which juice I would like from their digital menu above the counter. She said it is out in the shop by the fruit. I said thank you and went out to find it. After not being able to find it I asked the lady behind the counter. She said they only had two types of juice in the shop so I would have to go in the cafe to order that one. I walked back in the cafe to order it and the young lady told me that if it wasn’t out there they didn’t have it. In my head I thought “why advertise a juice bar if you don’t want to make the juice when people order it off your displayed menu.” But it wasn’t worth my time to question it. I went out and grabbed a kombucha and a couple bottles of water and checked out. The person at the counter was the one who directed me to go back to the cafe for the juice. She clearly was offended by me asking for the juice that was out of stock because she rang me up without acknowledging me whatsoever.

This marketplace is beautiful, the selection is great, and the food is good when you can get it. The only problem is what a lot of places have now. They hire very young, very rude staff that seem to have an attitude with people regardless of how much they come in to support their local business.

Unfortunately, as excited as I was for this place to open, I will not be going back...

We used Alex's for our company Christmas party this year & HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who wants to eat amazing food & have a great time! We never knew we could have a party here but we were their first! The venue easily accommodated our group of 70 for their first party and I would have NEVER known it was their first. The event coordinator, Hope, made sure everything was exactly how I wanted it when I got there as well as having a staff that went above and beyond for us all night. Our team was very surprised when they walked into the main level of Alex's but were very excited once they saw where we were. We hosted our party in the basement and later enjoyed games upstairs.

We enjoyed appetizers & drinks (the dreamiest fruit platter, gourmet cheeses and crackers, and their staple, the Mediterranean platter) while watching football on their big screens. Followed with a delicious specialty pizza and pasta bar that EVERYONE WILL NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT.

We were able to watch football on the big screens, play music, a slideshow, and a speech all downstairs in our own area. The area down there is PERFECT. With a coat room, bar, and bathrooms, we had everything we needed and it felt so private! The style is great for anything, fancy or not. The brick and wood walls go perfectly with the chandeliers and pretty tables/chairs.

We later took our party upstairs to the third floor where we enjoyed the golf simulator, virtual reality, and 4 bowling lanes. We had people floating from the basement to the third floor all night but our waitresses still accommodated us the whole night on BOTH floors. We couldn't have asked for more!

Hope worked closely with me to ensure this party was exactly what I wanted while staying in a budget. I am looking forward to working with her again in the near future.

Team Heritage are big fans...