Union Coffee Company — Restaurant in Milford

(Post 2 of 2) I received this message from Sam on Facebook after posting my review public: "I am sorry that your experience in my shop has resulted in such a negative view towards this company. Union is rooted in community values and many can attest to our employees excellent service and the uplifting environment Union provides for our customers. I believe that there was more to this exchange than you have mentioned in the above thread and I have no reason to question the integrity of my employees. There were several customers there who I spoke with to help paint a clearer image of what happened. You are always welcome back and I hope your next experience is more positive. And to address your initial concern, we offer a free refill with our hot drip coffee as a courtesy to our customers. This is something most of our competitors do not offer. We have many customers who work remotely from our space and they understand that the seat they are occupying is not free and that it is expected that their time spent in the cafe is quantifiably reflected in the purchases they make while they are there. If you have any more concerns with how this company is run, please direct those questions towards me." Couple of flags here. For one I’m not lying in my statement and have no reason to ever return to Union based on what happened today. You state that ”Union Coffee is rooted in community values and many can attest to our employees excellent service and the uplifting environment Union provides for our customers. My experience was NOT uplifting and I was refused service all because I was trying to make a suggestion. So let’s dig in this situation further. The man who claims he was the store manager that spoke to me today seems like a different person then Sam that replied to me. That’s a big flag because the young barista that was making my coffee (that did not serve me) was clearly not the manager! If Sam was working while I was there why didn’t he come out and speak to me when i asked for the manager? Sam should have talked with the staff and checked the cameras to see who was working so you could speak and address the issue with your staff. But instead management gets customers involved in this situation and think it’s a good message to spread gossip from a upset customer by complaining to people that have nothing to do with this situation? Sam, you were not there. I have pictures of the staffers that were working and a voice recording of your baristas speaking to me in a unprofessional manner. I have every right to make a suggestion WHICH doesn’t have to be honored but man, just listen to the customer and hear me and out and where I’m coming from because now you will be loosing customers. Again, I’ve been a barista, barista lead, supervisor, restaurant manager, and currently working on numerous event management activities with a Business Degree from University We are in the same industry Sam, with ensuring our guests are satisfied and servicing by exceeding customer relations. Please be cautious of how you manage because you are leading by example to your staff and showing them It’s okay for staff to respond to staff in this manner. To refuse service on something so basic is completely outraging. Shame on you and your establishment I hope this goes viral and you loose customers because of it. Union Coffee may be authentically pleasing but Milford please save your money and support other coffee houses. I suggest The Bookside Cafe, Black Forest Cafe, Riverside Cafe and my personal...

The cafe has a little bit of everything, and to my personal enjoyment has some pretty great tea. But for those who prefer coffee or alcohol, or some basic sandwiches or cocoa, they have those too. They're just not my cup of tea. ;) They regularly host open mic nights every Friday between 7-9pm, and you show up and write your name on the open mic board to secure your place and notify the staff you wish to go up by arriving no more than 1 hour early. (They clear the board roughly around 6-630 on Fridays) Or you can just go up after talking to the person on the soundboard in the back if you don't feel like writing with chalk. Most who participate mainly play an instrument or sing a song, but they're open to most anything that's under 2-5 minutes. I must say, nearly everyone is actually really talented. There weren't any bombs or bad singers present to my pleasant surprise. Just solid, good talent. Just be warned, it's fairly cliche in the song choices though. Almost all songs or topics were about suffering, young love, or similar. Cliche college and hipster and artist stuff. I personally read some poetry I wrote when I attended, but the poem topics I chose were focused on societal issues and suffering. So I'm not really an exception. Lol. The workers are pretty relaxed and there's actually a few attractive young ladies, but don't get your hopes up guys. I doubt they're looking. ;) Though oddly, now that I think on it, I think there's actually 3 women for every man working there and there's almost always at least 2 staff present at any time in their slowest times. 3 staff is most common though. Triangle of safety to prevent getting sued and for witnesses and all that. So there you go feminists! Lol. You get your fix. Overall vibe depends on when you go. In the afternoon it's slow and quiet, perfect for interviews, young or new couples on dates, small business meetings, or for some friends to hang out and "be hip". The mornings seem to get a lot of foot traffic and to-go coffees and teas, but otherwise seems similar to the afternoon if you sit down. If you attend in the evenings, you're sure to see an assortment of interesting characters and is almost cliche by the variety. You'd know if you've ever seen a cliche hipster cafe or been to a veteran's club. I don't recommend going there to sit solo unless you're there for the open mic or the other entertainment they get in from time to time. And while they serve alcohol, they aren't a bar. The environment is quite chummy, but the atmosphere is very different if you're solo. For that reason I knocked off half a star. The other half star knocked off is because of them being an amusing cliche and stereotype. -And I can't knock off half stars- lol

Give them a shot! I'm sure...

If any creatives — or anyONE, really — are looking for a new place to call their regular haunt, I can’t recommend Union Coffee enough. Every single staff member is a sweetheart, and it’s always pleasant starting off my time there getting to chat with some of them. All of them are incredibly welcoming and helpful, and you can tell from the get-go that they truly care about their patrons.

Not only are the staff absolute delights, but so are the others that come in! There have been several times I’ve walked in and was showered in greetings and compliments, and by the time I got to the counter to order, I was practically a flustered wreck — in the best possible way, of course. The environment this place has created is the perfect blend of cozy and uplifting, and once I’m there, it’s like I never want to leave.

I’m the type of person that, once I find what I like, I tend to order the same thing pretty often. However, the menu here is filled with so many options that sound too delectable to not try, and out of everything I’ve had (which is arguably most of the menu at this rate), I have yet to find something I don’t adore.

I’ve never been big on working on my art or writing in public, but between the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the flawless menu options that keep me coming back, as well as just getting to watch the hustle and bustle of the Oval from such a perfect view.. This has become my favorite spot to huddle up and get things done, and has even brought me out of my shell a bit to start sharing my works with the other incredible people that either work there or also love to...