Boxwood Coffee — Restaurant in Summit

This shop is quaint, and has a modern-hipster atmosphere. As a summit resident, Usually I'd be ecstatic to find coffee nearby that isn't a Starbucks or Dunkin' establishment. As caustic as it may seem though, I avoid this place like the black death. I don't know what it is particularly, if its the still quiet of the inside, or if there truly is something stare-warranting about my appearance that garners the attention of college kids studying in there, but every single time I have ever walked into this location I am met with the unrelenting stares of customers and staff. Every single time, I am stabbed with the vehement stares of everyone in that store when I walk in, and it isn't abashed in the slightest. They all just stare at me for minutes until I order, and consequently take my leave. I don't dress out of the ordinary, I am not particularly interesting in my winter attire and mask. Even before the pandemic, I actively avoided this store because of the quiet unyielding stares everyone darted at me upon entering. Anyways, besides how uncomfortable I feel in the store itself, the espresso is rather good. Though the baristas have a bad habit of forgetting any flavoring you paid an extra dollar for. Today I got two drinks, one for a colleague, and the 'honey cinnamon' flavor his latte was supposed to be was missing, whilst the vanilla in my cappuccino was also nonexistent. Still enjoyed the espresso. This is a rant in itself, but every single time I enter this place I go home wondering if my teenaged apprehension and terror of public interaction somehow was indeed logical. Genuinely makes me question my security within myself upon going to this coffee shop. Nothing but time dismisses this consternation blossomed from this place, until I eventually succumb and go back. Good espresso, weird people, unless I'm the weird one who is entering the coffee shop only meant for super young blonde students in sherpa jackets, scrolling through tiktok but with their laptops out, as to look as if they were actually studying for anything in relation to their communications major. This is what happens when a philosophy professor gets his hands on google review. I...

This review is about sustainability only! ☺️

By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Plastics are made from fossil fuels, and leach harmful chemicals into our bodies and ecosystems. Over 95% of the plastics that we try to recycle do not actually get recycled, but instead end up in landfills, incinerators, and our waterways. They then breakdown into micro plastics, which are making us sick.

I so appreciate that your coffee shop does indeed offer real mugs and plates to customers. But I was disheartened to see that so many of the people who were staying at the café to enjoy their coffee or snack seemingly had no idea that this option was available. Instead, I saw most tables consuming their beverages from throwaway, single use plastics that all get thrown away.

Perhaps there is something you can do to help! Maybe first by having your barista’s explicitly ask customers if they will be enjoying their meal to stay. You could also put up a sign, encouraging people to ask for real mugs to avoid plastic waste you could feature this option on social media, or even incentivize that people bring their own reusable containers.

The plastic pollution crisis is not only bad for our health, it is also unsightly, and a huge disservice to the beautiful New Jersey ecosystem that we call home. We must stop normalizing such negligent and excessive use of this poisonous product, and it would be wonderful to see our local community establishments helping us to help our environment.

Thank you for considering some simple communication solutions to ensure that fewer people are contributing to the ever-growing plastic pollution problem. This is always my favorite coffee shop to stop by in town, and I appreciate the kind service and...

Years ago when this place opened it was spectacular! I don’t know what’s happened more recently, but on and off over the last year or two the quality has really slipped. Bitter, leftover cold brew that should have been thrown out instead of served, chemical tasting lemonade, etc. I’ve stopped going as often but yesterday was the final straw for me. I so rarely leave negative reviews anywhere but I have to warn anyone that orders a drink with non-dairy milk here - you might actually be getting dairy. Just be careful especially if you have an allergy or intolerance! I ordered a drink to be made with oat milk and the order was repeated back to me correctly, but trust me - it wasn’t oat milk, and I ended up sick all night. I know there’s a gamble in any coffee shop that this can happen, and I guess my luck has been much better elsewhere, but I’ll be avoiding Boxwood from now on! It’s just not worth the risk unfortunately. Also, prices are BONKERS! Almost $18 for two drinks? I don’t mind paying more for the atmosphere or quality normally, but the quality...