Black Cat Coffee House — Restaurant in Phoenix

After my three year old son and I were harassed and threatened by the owner I thought I should share the email conversation as to warn customers of this business.

Here is my email to the business the day after the incident:

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention an incident that occurred at the Black Cat Coffee Shop on Sunday, November 12, at approximately 3:10 PM. I have been a regular customer at your establishment, having enjoyed the Black Cat Bomb numerous times, and I have never encountered any issues until this recent visit.

On that particular day, I entered the coffee shop with my three-year-old son, as I have done many times before. We approached the counter to place our usual order. While standing there, my son innocently reached to look at the tip jar, and to my surprise, the employee on duty snatched the jar away in what I can only describe as a very violent manner. I calmly pointed out that my child was just curious, not understanding the situation, and suggested that such a reaction was an overreach for a small child who didn't know any better.

To my dismay, the employee responded with a concerning comment, saying, "Do you want to see me freak out?" This statement, which I interpreted as a threat, deeply alarmed me, especially considering my three-year-old son's presence. I want to emphasize that I felt threatened by her words, and this is not the kind of experience I expect or tolerate as a customer.

Despite my efforts to de-escalate the situation, I found the employee's behavior unsettling. I expressed my disappointment in the quality of customer service provided, and in response, she forcefully ripped my card from the point-of-sale system, instructing me to leave the premises.

While I understand a business's right to refuse service, I believe it is important to address and rectify situations where a threat is made against a customer, particularly when accompanied by aggressive actions. I am sharing this incident with you because I believe it is crucial to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and kindly request that you look into the incident to ensure that such interactions do not occur in the future. It is my hope that this can be addressed promptly and that Black Cat Coffee Shop continues to be a place where customers can enjoy your offerings in a friendly and respectful atmosphere.

Thank you for your time and understanding. I look forward to a resolution to this matter.

And here is the owners response:

I can add a lot of adjectives to really elaborate this email like you have but I don’t feel that’s necessary. It seems that we have formed opinions about each other so this may be one of those agree to disagree situations. In your email, you were implying I thought your child initiated the problem in the situation. The problem was when your child reached for the jar, you as the parent did nothing. I did act fast in that moment because it doesn’t take long for accidents to occur. What would have happened if he pulled that jar off the counter?

You took this opportunity to insult me. When I said “do you want me to freak out” it was a sassy response instead of insulting you back. Did I overreact? Yes, I can see that I did. However my staff and I do not come to work for us to be insulted or stolen from.

Thank you for the support you’ve given us so far but perhaps a different coffee shop is better fit for you. Pure green and D’Lite both sell a smoothie similar to your order.

Please be observant of the overreacting owner who cares not for kids...

No masks are worn by the staff!!! Not safe!!! If mask cant be worn use a face shield or other alternatives to keep customers safe please, please stop putting your patrons in danger. Male employee still not wearing a mask as people keep dying of COVID in Arizona. I love this coffee shop. Or used to love it when the clerk was different. The previous female clerk/co-owner was so polite and nice but yesterday I went in and there was a male employee. He was making my drinks and breathing on my drink after interacting with many customers. Is it not required for employees in food related places to wear masks? Please please have your workers wear masks, otherwise I feel anxious in consuming or even entering this coffee shop.

Edit: That study you cited, did you read it? It was published in error and the correction reads on pg.1263: "contact with persons with known COVID-19 or going to locations that offer on-site eating and drinking options were associated with COVID-19 positivity. Adults with positive SARS-CoV-2 test results were approximately twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant than were those with negative SARS-CoV-2 test results." This means going to your coffee shop according to the article YOU provided makes us twice as likely to get COVID IF as you said masks are worn. There is no misinformation, many others also said this: HE IS NOT WEARING A MASK! Why not own up to it and fix it saying more strict measures will be taken to make sure employees do wear masks? Make us feel safe if you want positive reviews. I want to return to the shop I loved when its...

Business is business, as they say.

Notice to Artists and Makers who aspire to feature their work on these walls: you will pay a $100 non-refundable fee under the table (handshake deal) for the allowance to feature your work on this shops’ walls. The owner reserves the right to rescind this allowance without as much as a 2-3 week notice, and don’t be surprised if it is sprung on you on your next visit in person rather than done through a call, text, or social media request to talk beforehand. Be prepared for it to possibly take place in front of your family, too.

“I need you to take your work down within a few weeks. I took a deposit from a new artist today and it will be in the space you occupy. Goodbye.”

Why? Don’t ask. The rationale will not be provided even if requested. Perhaps it is because the prospect of collecting $100 from a new maker is desired, even if it means cycling out tenured makers/artists without discussing it beforehand. This even means cycling out uncommon media like woodwork; this medium generated a lot of interest from visitors in a years’ time. Consider $100 out of pocket to hold a place on a wall a good bit of money just for you to be given the boot unexpectedly.

Advice: Don’t forget the term handshake deal. Get any terms in writing, signed and dated by both you and the owner. And be sure to consider other options before resting on Black Cat. If you do commit to featuring at Black Cat, make it a 50% refundable deposit to prevent a total loss when you get the boot.

Business is business, as they say. 2 stars because the coffee redeems...