Black Pearl Café — Restaurant in Muscatine

This is going to be a difficult review to construct, because these are sensitive topics. There are two reasons why I rate this place 3 stars. The first, is that upon recently stopping in, I noticed that they had removed the LGBT pride flag that was hanging above the barista area. I had stopped in a few times previously and had always felt welcomed and accepted and safe there. Now I am not so sure… considering that taking down a flag must mean they no longer support the community? Very upsetting. The second and last reason is the more sensitive topic. Just recently, a tragic death took place in the community. Not even a WEEK later, Black Pearl launched their newest drink: “#forcam”. I am not sure if this is the owner’s motive, but using the death of a young girl to advertise their business is absolutely sickening. It would be understandable if #forcam was a fundraiser, or an outreach program like the M Brunson incident, but it’s not. All the money raised from these “#forcam” drinks are not going anywhere but the pockets of the owners. I have also noticed that Black Pearl is notorious for naming drinks after loyal customers. What I don’t understand is- if the #forcam drink was Cammeron’s most popular order, why did they have to wait til AFTER she died to launch it/name it?? Sound two-faced to me. Will not be stepping in here again. If I were the family of the girl who passed away, I would start a lawsuit because this behavior for the sake of publicity is...

I started coming here after a girl I work with introduced me to this place. I’m guilty to say I spend more on coffee & drinks now than I probably should. 😂 I’ve tried multiple of the lotus energy drinks, the cubanito, tigers eye. They have all been nothing but amazing every single time! The atmosphere is always great. The girls working are always friendly. Can we talk about how it’s woman ran too? LOVE THAT! 💪🏼💕 They also have this wall full of sticky notes. So fun to sit & read them all while waiting on your order.🥰 I haven’t had the chance to actually sit in here & enjoy my coffee but I’m going to sometime & I can’t wait because it really does have a great atmosphere. Great job to the owners & all the employees who keep this...

around 3 p.m. on December 30th 2022, I witness the owners verbally berate a door dash delivery driver. Needless to say; after what I saw I left. You could have simply explained about your policy in regards to carriers that the order needed four items instead of two. and then to have one of the co-owners yell at him and say he's "banned", when in no way was the dasher of abrasive, violent, or loud or cruded...makes me never want to travel to Muscatine and do business with such churlish people. which is why I have to give zero stars and not recommend people to go there. if that's how you treat people who do doordash...I'd hate to see what what happened to actual...