Sefton Coffee Company — Restaurant in Richmond

Upon entering, the establishment appears to be an independent coffee shop- with bottles of wine strewn throughout the shop. When ordering, the girl behind the counter wrote on a pad of paper indicating she couldn't speak. So I sign to her and she indicates that she can hear. More on this later...

I ordered a pastry and cup of coffee and was given the pastry wrapped in cling wrap- no plate, no fork or knife. I find a table and notice the glass-topped tables appear dirty. Finger and handprints all over plus crumbs. I understand now why there were handprints on the table. The prior guest probably had to eat their sticky pastry in their hands (like I did.) It looks as if they don't clean tables between patrons use. (Eww) No paper serviettes anywhere to be found available to the customer. No appearance of a bathroom available. As I'm sitting with my back to the counter I hear what sounds like the girl speaking to either other employees or customers. What's that about?!

Overall, I didn't dig this place. I didn't find it clean or very accommodating with staples to a cafe like plates, napkins, or eating utensils. I'll consider my alternatives next time I visit downtown Richmond.

I've shared my observations, now here's my general opinion. I prefer to support local, independently owned cafes, but sometimes these owners/managers appear to have little mindfulness when considering what is an expectation in the corporate world- greet the customer, thank the customer for purchase, provide a clean environment, provide the items like napkins, plates, forks, etc. to the customer without the customer having to seek out someone working in the cafe to get these things. Lastly, about the wine bottles. Is it a coffee shop or a wine shop? Seems like a lack of focus.

UPDATE: I was anticipating an unprofessional and petty response by this owner and they've not disappointed.

A professional would apologize to the dissatisfied (former) customer and invite the them back to make it right- by either offering a refund and/or a new drink gratis. Not this owner. Poor management will discover a business without a customer isn't a business for very long 😂

Forgive me! The girl behind the counter wasn't wearing a "They/Them" name tag that you, as the owner, should have provided to avoid such perceived insensitivities. Will you be providing a safe place work environment for your employees? When may your employees expect to be met with dignity by providing pronoun name tags?

I wish her a speedy recovery.

Perhaps you should add a sign explaining all your particular business nuances to customers so they aren't mislabeled as insensitive by an unprofessional rude social justice store owner when simply placing an order and putting money in your pockets?

I noticed you didn't offer a refund so obviously you're good to take my money. I can assure you it will only happen once.

TLDR: Go anywhere...

I once visited Sefton during hours that you were advertised as being opened with a black friend and was rudely yelled at from down the street by (presumably) a white employee trying to communicate that you were closed. We gave a polite wave and a sorry and the man completely ignored us and sat outside at a table, seeming to "guard" the coffee shop. Despite this really uncomfortable and discouraging interaction, me and my partner continue to go often as it's really the only option downtown and I wanted to give the business the benefit of the doubt. We've had some subpar experiences and the coffee is simply serviceable but the baristas are kind and we always look forward to a Chewy's bagel. Today we paid $4 each for bagels that we opened at home to find were not Chewy's bagels (and I strongly suspect were not locally made bagels at all). Wouldn't have been a big deal if we were told you were out. Good luck to you in your business; I would recommend taking the reviews you get in stride as opposed to being so rude.

Edit: not sure what is strange about my review. I visited your coffee shop during a time when you purported to be open, pulled the door to open it, realized you were closed, and felt racially profiled by someone I have seen there before and can probably safely assume is an owner or employee who didn't know how to communicate that you were closed. Today, I paid $8 for two bagels that were not what was advertised. Hopefully...

I would personally give this specific coffee company a one star rating. I would rate it zero stars if I could. Beyond the fact that even the coffee itself wasn't very good the service was also terrible. The lady at the front was nothing but rude and passive aggressive to me and my friend. After she took my order to completely ignored the fact that my friend was standing right there and also wanted to order, keep in mind we were ordering the same drink. Once she finished making my drink, my friend then asked to order the same drink. After this happened, the lady gave my friend the most judgmental and appalling look, making my friend feel as if she had done something wrong by something as small as ordering a coffee.... after that it was around 4:00 and we were told to leave obviously because "she had to close up and lock the door". After that my friend and I decided to sit outside. Around ten minutes later a couple went up to the door thinking it was open. The man who also worked there opened the door and let them in.... I thought it was closed, and that's why we had to sit outside. Obviously we weren't welcome there, but other people were. Make it make sense babes. By the way the coffee...