Tree City Coffee & Pastry — Restaurant in Kent

One of the worst business owners I have ever encountered in my life. The reviews about the owner yelling at employees or being rude to them behind the bar are very true and it’s even worse behind the scenes. I could go on for hours but I’ll name just a few major things.

Don’t go here unless you want to support a business owner who calls every single one of her employees lazy because of one training inconsistency. Training is her job as the owner of a small business but she deflects her incompetence on her employees. This happened on multiple occasions.

Cutting hours to “save” on labor, leading to short staffing if there’s any sort of rush (aka more $$$ in the owners pocket), lack of transparency about how tips are split (talks in circles until you’re tired of listening to her), pays less than minimum wage and expects maximum effort, yet somehow doesn’t recognize her employees for their efforts, etc etc etc— it’s sad.

She uses the cheapest possible avenue for her offerings. Costco pastries (not the majority, but some things that could easily be sourced by the other businesses she buys from), Costco milks (not even the barista blend that’s standard almost everywhere else), the cheapest matcha, 2% milk being the standard for lattes instead of whole… the cheapest everything. She doesn’t care about the quality of product she’s pushing out, which is extremely obvious when you realize 90% of her staff doesn’t know how to dial in the espresso machine, let alone how that reflects in the shots.

If you’ve ever encountered an employee here who seems confused about the menu, training inconsistencies, or price inconsistencies— just know it started at the top. Trying to get a straightforward, consistent answer out of her, about her own policies and procedures that she created, is like pulling teeth.

This is just one person revealing the realities of everyone who’s worked here since the new owner took over. People deserve to know what kind of business owner they’re supporting.

EDIT: someone reported my review and had it...

EDIT: The way the owner has responded to this—proves my point entirely. This is the same way she treats her staff.

I have been living and working in Kent since 2020, and I love exploring the nearby coffee shops. However, twice now when going into Tree City, there is a morning manager that loudly reprimands the workers in front of everyone. The first time, I let it go. The second time, I am now too uncomfortable to go in there.

When telling my family about this (who have lived in Kent their whole lives) they responded with “oh yeah. She’s always been like that. That’s why we don’t go.” —I really hope she can receive training. It is embarrassing, and just down right inappropriate. She was on a power trip nitpicking at every little thing. Such a sour attitude.

I’m only rating higher on service, because the students were the nicest ones, and as a much older person, something is wrong with this workplace culture. Especially since I experienced it twice from the same woman, and it’s a bit sad that folks in my network easily confirmed that to be their experience too.

I could not even sit to enjoy my coffee, because of how loud she is yelling at them, and they all looked miserable and sad to be there. The atmosphere here would be much better with enforcement of a little more kindness and decency from folks who are leadership positions.

EDIT: Owner claims its because she is hard of hearing, and that is absolutely ridiculous to use emotional manipulation tactics instead of owning up to how you treat staff. I made this review because of HOW she was speaking to them. Like- the actual content of how she was talking to them like dogs. The volume was only an additional component that made the experience horrible- so don’t even go there that you had to reveal information you didn’t want to. It was all of your complaining that sucked. Humble yourself and use nicer words when you speak...

Tree City is such a gem. With the closing a few years back of Susan's Coffee & Tea, a beloved & independent local spot, Tree City is a welcome pseudo-replacement in newly revitalized downtown Kent. Spacious & modern, with a sort of industrial-but-cozy ambiance, this local joint boasts organic, fair-trade coffee & a short but sweet food menu of fun twists on PB&J sandwiches & a host of homemade pastries.

Their website touts a "stay-put atmosphere," inviting customers to camp out with a laptop or a textbook - no pressure to hustle out as soon as you're done with your latte. Clientele is varied, from students to professors to local color, & seating options accommodate all kinds of visitors - big tables, small tables, lounge chairs, & a couch around a fireplace for folks who just want to chat or read a copy of The Kent Stater newspaper.

I considered docking one point for snooty baristas (not all of them, but a distressing number) & for not having low-fat cream cheese. They specialize in healthy & organic, but I've gotta order full-fat cream cheese? Annoying. But I've got to give a full five points - & enthusiastically so - for tasty lattes (try the maple!), creative seasonal offerings, low prices, high standards, a calming atmosphere, a super-clean facility, & providing an alternative to corporate Starbucks down the road.

My cream cheese grudge aside, this place is really a gem among gems - my favorite coffee shop, period, including all the ones I've frequent in big cities like D.C. & Boston. As downtown Kent continues to grow & thrive, I hope to see Tree City "rooted" here for a long...