Grassroots Kava House — Restaurant in Tampa

Dear Grassroots Team,

I want to start by expressing how much I’ve enjoyed coming to your shop over the last couple of years. Your tea has always been a highlight for me, and it used to be part of my routine, especially before yoga sessions. My husband and I would frequent the shop three times a week. My brother would go there everyday to sit quietly and work. The warm atmosphere, delicious tea, and welcoming staff made it such a wonderful space for us.

However, I regret to say that we’ve had a negative experience recently that has impacted our visits. There is a particular patron who is consistently loud, disruptive, and seems to monopolize the space. His behavior towards the baristas, which often includes inappropriate flirting, combined with his overbearing manner, makes the environment uncomfortable. This came to a head when he insulted my brother, who is a quiet individual on the spectrum and was simply trying to get the attention of the barista after several attempts. The patron responded by calling my brother an offensive name, and when I politely asked about the incident days later, I was met with verbal aggression and was called a derogatory name as well.

We’ve always enjoyed our time at your shop and appreciate the hard work and dedication you put into creating a welcoming environment. However, given the recent experiences, we no longer feel comfortable continuing to visit unless steps are taken to ensure the space remains respectful and inclusive for all patrons.

I hope this feedback can help improve the overall atmosphere of your wonderful establishment and bring it back to its original welcoming...

This place is not veteran friendly, extremely disrespectful. I am a disabled veteran with a handicap license plate at the back of my car and was cursed at and told to move my car several times and was threatened of getting towed because I didn't have a normal civilian handicap sign and was told to never come back for parking in the handicap spot so that a workers friend could park there. After I said that I had no problem moving my car willingly with no problem at all for the sake of being nice and understanding, even though i legally didn't have to, I was rushed and disrespected and told by Scarleth a second time immediately after to leave and to never come back and cursed at, even after being calm and respectful. I wasn't even given the time to move my car. Margaret, another worker there did not even care to look at my license plate to confirm that I was indeed disabled and told me that I was not disabled and had no right to park in the spot. As a U.S Army veteran who served in Afghanistan and received disabilities from my service, I have never been so humiliated, discriminated against and disrespected at an establishment. This whole situation was escalated solely by the workers. I even had the cops called on me.

A person who qualifies for a disabled parking permit under this section may be issued an international wheelchair user symbol license plate under s. 320.0843 in lieu of the disabled parking permit; or, if the person qualifies for a "DV" license plate under s. 320.084, such a license plate may be issued to him or her in lieu of a disabled parking permit.

And yes I have filed a...

Really lovely spot with a variety of drink options and a private coworking space. Overall, I had a nice experience here, but had an issue with service over a 25 mg CBD additive that I purchased being added to my drink even though she’d previously said that I would add it myself. She gave me the drink and I asked for the CBD packet, but she said she added it and asked if that was ok. I said okay in the moment, but 20 or so minutes later (with an essentially full drink) I felt a bit overwhelmed by the effects (as a “lightweight” where all nootropics are concerned, which is why I wanted to add the powder myself to control the portion size). I communicated this and asked for a remade drink because I was having a reaction, and she replied that she could not remake the drink period (with or without a lower quantity of CBD) and also expressed no concern for whatever reaction I was having. She did offer a 25% discount, but when the order total is $10 this doesn’t amount to much at all.

This is all to say that in serving CBD and other nootropics to customers there should be an immense amount of intention and care, especially insofar as dosing is concerned, and a barista should not assume a customer’s capacity, but rather be accountable that they’re supplying a drug with cognitive effects that differs from person to person. Maybe this is an issue of staff training, but I was and am disappointed in how this situation was handled and will be forewarning folks in the future (though as a coworking space and general cafe I have no qualms...