Olympia Coffee Roasting — Restaurant in Olympia

This Olympia Coffee location is operated under a strange despotism. It's a small structure that not many people can fit in. During COVID a limit on customers indoors at any given time was instituted. Since then the rule has remained, though it's relation to staff and customer safety is now dubious at best. In any case, there is no "official" reason for the rule--its just an arbitrary rule not connected to any epidemiological recommendation nor reinforced by any actually useful epidemiological rule, such as a mask mandate. In effect, it's the only shred of authoritarian power the institution has left to exercise, and exercise it they do, to the point of absurdity. I've always felt the staff here was "quietly rude" is that sort of passive aggressive way that you can't overtly call out, because its often soaked in a thin veneer of "Welcome in" (until they welcome you right back out) but which you can feel if you have any minimal sensitivity to the kind of fake politeness endemic to performative liberalism. But I digress, this is a coffee review after all, isn't it?

Today, my partner and I came in out of the storm and rain to find 2 customers already present. We were greeted by the barista, then quickly told that there was a three person limit and we would have to wait outside (in the heavy rain, by implication). My partner and I aren't big people, we don't take up much space, we prefer a polite social distance. Standing there briefly, the space felt perfectly sufficient between us and the other customers. In a normal world, without the weird policing that places like this cling so desperately to, customers are capable of self-regulating. Humans know intrinsically when an environment is "full". We might squeeze in to get out of inclement weather (heat, cold, rain, snow, wind), but even that has a limit most of us are willing to recognize. Today, there was no squeezing necessary, and something approximating more social distance than would be experienced by 3 individuals spaced equidistantly from one another. This was two couples: my partner and I, and the two others already there. And it was raining hard, cold, windy. Are we so lost as a people that we can't make reasonable exceptions to already arbitrary rules for the sake of customer comfort and common decency? At what point does the dogma of post-COVID paranoia reach an untenable fever pitch? Are we humans or are we computer programs incapable of spontaneous kindness?

If the West Olympia Coffee wants to keep playing the role of little monarchs in a microcastle, fine I guess. Just don't pretend your sanctimonious self-righteousness has any relation whatsoever to being concerned about anyone's well being, staff or customer alike. It's just a weird power game. Your coffee isn't...

I’m always happy after a trip to OCR. I normally get the “one and fun” which is a shot of espresso, a small cup of sparkling water, and a Cortado with a shot of a flavor of your choice for $5.55. It’s always made to perfection! In addition, I often purchase coffee beans as gifts. I recently discovered that they can grind the beans for you, and grind them specifically for whatever coffee making mechanism you use at home. The beans are on the pricy side, but they are well worth it because normally store bought coffee cannot compare to the flavors and depth these beans offer. The bakery items are equally as tasty. They often have an everything croissant- it’s a savory, buttery croissant with everything bagel toppings and a cream cheese filling. So bomb! This is a local treat that cannot be beat by chain...

It was my first time going to this coffee shop. Since I did not know their menu or anything I felt a little nervous ordering as I am an anxious individual. The lady who took my coffee order was fine and polite, but the lady who got my croissant was not so pleasant. I didn't enjoy my experience with her because her tone of voice was not pleasant. I asked for two items off a little list which was posted on the counter. This lady then told me only the items in the case listed were the only items available and she said it with an attitude. The chocolate croissant was not warmed up so the chocolate is just a stick in the croissant. Not very happy with my first visit and won't...