Third Street Stuff — Restaurant in Lexington

I thought this was an inclusive space for everyone but this morning I was studying and a group of 4 young homeless boys were sitting at a table next to me. They weren’t causing any issues just talking to each other and I believe waiting for the library to open since they had nowhere to go and it is 25 degrees outside. The older lady working (Owner I believe) came over and told them they had to throw away a pizza box of leftovers from little ceasers because they couldn’t have outside food. After the boy went outside and threw away his food which he wasn’t even eating inside she loudly told them they had to leave anyways because they weren’t buying anything she said it many times and appeared to be trying to embarrass them. She even leaned over the table to a quiet young man and loudly said you aren’t responding to me did you hear me?!?! The place was not full and they were only using one table not causing any issues. I gave them $$ to buy a coffee so they wouldn’t have to go wait in the cold. This interaction shocked me because I thought this was an inclusive...

Over the past nearly 20 years, Third Street Stuff has earned its place as a Lexington institution and sets the bar very high for other coffee shops in town. They've been brewing and serving locally roasted coffee since way before it was cool, and IIRC before Starbucks had even come to town. Anyway the owners and workers are complete badass baristas and chefs. Their Hame and Brie sandwich is to die for and their Pink in May drink blew my mind and my palate wide open. Who knew cold brew poured over raspberry Gelato could be so amazing? Writing this review has actually convinced me to go get another one right now, that's how good this place is!

Plus I can't give them enough props for being staunch supporters of Lexington LGBTQIA+, immingrant, arts, music and writing communities. Third Street Stuff is a shining example of how valuable local businesses are to the identity and health of their local communities and we are so lucky to have them...

I used to love this place in high school and college, which is why I gave it two stars. Sometime last year they had a brain fart and decided it would be fantastic to allow an artist to dissect animal remains as "artwork" right outside on the picnic tables. People were horrified at the inhumanity and indecency of it, not to mention downright gross! The health department received numerous calls to verify that the tables were sanitized enough to eat on. What irritated me more, to the point of vowing never to go back (much to my dismay, although I haven't been back since) was the way they handled the many complaints. Comments were deleted, people were unfriended from their facebook page, and then they finally deleted the posts advertising and glorifying such disturbing acts. Even for third street stuff, that was too bizarre. I never heard anything about an apology, or even an explanation for why they thought it was...