Fair Trade Coffee House — Restaurant in Madison

This quickly became a favorite spot for me and my dog, Jim, when we moved to the area. Today, I went to stop by and saw a discouraging sign that stated "No Pets, Service Animals Only." Jim is a service animal, but I don't like to publicize that. There are a number of reasons that I think the management of this establishment needs to take into account. I have epilepsy and Jim is a seizure response dog. I don't like disclosing that or feeling pressured to do so. Hence, I take him to pet-friendly establishments. In truth, my seizures are well controlled with medication and I feel comfortable without Jim, but I would like to address the broader spectrum of people with "invisible" disabilities. When such a proclamation about pets and service animals is made, it puts a spotlight on people that want to avoid exactly that kind of attention when they walk into a coffee shop with their dog. This category of disabilities includes those suffering from PTSD, severe anxiety, or any number of mental illnesses. Second, I trained Jim myself. That is a right guaranteed to me under the ADA. For good reason too, professionally trained seizure response dogs cost about $20,000 (on the low end). Jim is a rescue dog that I was able to make fill this role. He is more playful than most service animals. His job does not require constant attention. When I identify him as a service animal, it creates a number of problems. People may think I'm lying, which I dislike. More importantly, it creates problems for those individuals with service animals that need to stay focused. Jim's playfulness and my relaxed attitude about his interaction with others can lead to confusion for people who don't understand the variety of service animal jobs. People are free to give Jim attention and he loves every bit of it. Other service animals need to stay focused on their job at all times and cannot be approached.

I realize that this new policy is probably a response to the enforcement of municipal codes or something similar. Knowing that I still bring this up directly with the establishment because they have the power to advocate for their customers. The city cares a lot more about the opinions of local business associations than it does lone consumers.

Thank you to all the staff that have been so kind to us since we started coming there. I hope that this policy changes and we can see...

My first time visiting since moving to Madison was less than enjoyable seeing humanity at such a low. Such a lack of empathy. And I really cannot quite understand why there are limitations on who qualifies to receive any type of normal respect as a paying customer, especially one who was not causing any type of chaos and sits quietly minding oneself.

I came in this morning to have a cup of coffee and enjoy a book. Soon after a homeless man came in, quietly, slowing bringing in 3 bags. He placed them as close as he could to his table insuring it wouldn’t be in the way of anyone. He didn’t ask anyone for money. He pulled out loose change, and maybe 2 dollar bills. He paid for his coffee, and sat down and continued to leave everyone alone and didn’t bother not one person. Wouldn’t say a word to anyone, not even to himself. I saw his remaining money on the table. It consisted of only pennies.

Just being a compassionate human being myself, and also seeing he was oh so respectful of the establishment, I thought it wouldn’t be inappropriate to buy this man, who is a paying customer himself and isn’t bothering anyone, and doing absolutely nothing wrong being there given these two facts, a meal. An egg, turkey, and cheese bagel. This sandwich could be the thing that feeds him not only for one meal, but for several. It could last several days. And since he was oh so respectful of everyone at the establishment, I figured he was more than deserving of kindness back.

The employees were less than impressed. I soon after went up to the counter and asked for a Togo cup to put my coffee in, and a male cashier treated me like I was a burden and truly just so bothersome to the establishment that I help a respectful, quiet, paying customer pay for food to go with his drink.

Like I said, less...

I have been going to this coffee house for about 20 years—since I was a student at UW-Madison. I used to know artists who worked in the back area and whose art was on the walls. I used to study for exams there. I used to adore it.

Yesterday (at around 11:15 am) I went in and ordered a Yerba Mate with a side of warm soy milk. The cashier was nice and asked me if I wanted a tea latte. I said actually yes. So she UPcharged me a dollar I think, which was totally fine.

I watched the barista make it and fill the cup 3/4 full of hot water. So I said “it’s a latte right?” And she said “the way we do it here (blah blah blah 🚀 science).

I said “well I was charged for more soymilk.” So she offered to pour some water out in a way that was pseudo sincere. I said “yes please.”

I then shared that when I used to come there almost 20 years back the baristas put the mate right into the espresso press and add milk so I was used to more milk (and it was glorious, mind you!) … I didn’t say this, but I also now live on the border of Italy, so I know what a latte ratio is.

She said “oh, really, interesting, we’ll take that on.”

I felt she was somewhat sincere, but then I scanned to my right, and her colleague was half paying attention to making a sandwich and half watching our exchange and rolling his eyes at me and sneering in a way that was so petty and small town and weird. So I felt really, really unwelcome and sad at the culture that took over there.

I then went to add something to the drink at the side bar and he started talking about me when I was still there!

Imagine your fave college tea shop devolving into an entitled, insular teen wasteland. That’s what...