Caribou Coffee — Restaurant in Red Wing

I stop in this caribou almost daily on my way south. This location has gone through many managers and staff over the years, resulting in inconsistent service. For the last few years, they've finally had a consistent manager and it's showed. Drinks have tasted great, wait times have gone down substantially, and the employees seem to be genuinely happy.

Stopping by today I was told by an employee that the gm quit! I'm not sure who in charge of the southern metro stores, but this turnover is insane. From Red Wing to Winona, the southern stores are mismanaged and can't keep Staff. The district manager/ regional manager/ what have you for these stores needs to be let go. Most caribous I go to don't have these issues, so I assume it's coming from the top down in the south metro.

After a few years of this store FINALLY having some direction, I'm saddened that the employees are once again left to fend for themselves. If the ex GM is reading this, please let me know of you're still in the industry! I'll gladly frequent any establishment you manage, based on the atmosphere you brought alone.

Until then, at least the red wing Starbucks...

If you're visiting Red Wing, MN and you like Caribou Coffee, this is a great place to stop and visit! It is located near the downtown area along the river in what was once a fire station. It has two levels of seating with a variety of tables and chairs as well as comfortable couches and lounge chairs to choose from. There is also a small conference room which can be used for meetings or other occasions....while I was there it looked like students were using it to do some studying. Very cool!

Perhaps my favorite part was the small library collection they had on the 2nd floor, stocked with books from a local book store. The books were available for reading there, or could be borrowed to read elsewhere. A sign posted on the library shelf stated that if you were to take a book home to read, you should return it to the bookstore where you could then purchase it if desired, or...

Listen, I've been a Caribou lover for a long time. This location is great and the floor staff is wonderful. But the site manager and apparently district manager think this is the appropriate amount of tea when you order an extra large with no ice (see photo).

I complained when I went through the drive thru and was told this was the appropriate amount based on what the manager and district managers specified.

The margin on a $6 tea that is literally just water and some tea leaves must be close to what movie theaters make off of soft drinks. If the managers at this establishment cannot realize they are driving away customers for a high profit item then this location is doomed.

I will re-rate this establishment when and if they change this policy. Until then I'm going to Starbucks or making...