Lost Dog Coffee Fine Arts Drink Emporium — Restaurant in Shepherdstown

I've lived in the area for almost five years now, and have been obsessed with tea for probably three times longer. To say this place has held down Shepherdstown for me would be an understatement. For a gem of a spot like this who specializes in tea and coffee, with a deep understanding and great selection of both, without any of the BS of being your average café that serves cheap quality drinks with a sandwich menu to front, is like a lake in the desert.

Garth, the owner, is often misunderstood but he is genuinely a treat to talk to every time. At first he may come off as brash, but it's really just misunderstood passion and love for his art and the world surrounding him. He remembers ALL of his customers while often going the extra mile for those who return, answers any and all questions to an extent that is always teaching you something new about his craft, he's open with where he sources his stuff, and so much more.

Additionally, this isn't to say he's what you'd imagine to be an unwelcoming elitist about his craft either. Whether it's a standard cup of drip coffee, sweet drink, or a complex cup of white tea, he wants you to experience it right. If you're gonna go out of your way to spend money on a drink, it ought to be good.

Despite traveling across the EC to big cities like Atlanta and NYC, no coffee/tea joint I've gone to comes close to offering what you will find here. Great tea, great coffee, great prices, great people, and plenty of seating in and outside. A must visit for both those new and those experienced in brewing...

This past weekend, my husband and I hosted our niece and her boyfriend from Brooklyn. Sunday morning, we decided to stroll around downtown Shepherdstown, visiting some shops, and the farmer’s market. They decided they wanted a cup of good coffee, so we headed for the Lost Dog. The four of us stood in line, and we entertained ourselves by visiting, and just looking around. They chose the coffee drink they wanted from the blackboard beneath the window. When it was their turn, and they ordered (again, FROM THE MENU), they gray-haired man said the following: “I am so f*&^ing slammed, if I made that for you, it would ruin my flow. Basically, you can have [this] or [that], and it’ll save you some money, too.” They each left with a cup of black coffee, and a stunned expression. My husband and I were mortified, as we’d talked up how lovely Shepherdstown is (other merchants supported us on that). Our niece and boyfriend are lovely, mannerly people; both are music teachers. They look and behave in a very respectable manner. For them to be treated like this is nothing short of abhorrent. I see these “5 star” reviews, and I just don’t get it. Why would this man cuss at our niece, and her friend, and not make what they ordered from the menu? What a poor representative of Shepherdstown. I will never again recommend this place of...

I've had chai here in the past that was wonderful, but what does it say about the business if you dismiss every negative review as being by "fabricated trolls"? No business can be 100% perfect, but you don't improve by accusing everyone who's had a bad experience of making it up. If they were trolls, surely the rest of the reviews they've posted for other places would be disparaging as well? Part of being a business owner or a creator in general is being able to handle any criticism that comes your way, and posting reviews that weren't 100% positive for followers to sic on is the exact opposite of being able to handle it. (Nevermind how in the past, you've given 5 star ratings to your own pages to bolster it, conflict of interest much?). And by reading how you've responded to negative reviews over years, you do rage a ton. If you're burnt out or jaded, there is nothing wrong about admitting to it. Taking your frustrations out on other people who just want to enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea isn't the way to deal with it. I wish nothing but good things, but I'm sure I'll still get pounced on for constructive criticism.

3 star rating to represent neutrality as Google won't let me post this...