Complaining about Victrola is a neighborhood tradition — call us traditionalists. We’d like to welcome Victrola’s new owner with some constructive criticism. We received the following diatribe from neighbor JH:
I go in there almost every weekend (and often more frequently) and I’ve noticed a couple things that piss me off more than Victrola normally ticks me off with their attitude. If the coffee wasn’t so damn good…
Rant #1: They don’t have non-fat milk available at the self-serve counter so if you like a splash of it in your coffee, you have to ask the barrista. Last weekend I was told again, “oh, just help yourself at the self-serve counter,” only to remind them that’s not possible. Then I get the attitude because they have to do something different…
Rant #2: Sunday morning disarray. I often stop in at the same time on Sundays (after yoga) and they’ll be out of clean spoons, lids, etc. The place will be a mess. I know they’re busy, but come on!
I read that ownership changed and they recently opened the second location. Now, they need to get back to basics of customer service and keeping the place clean so we can enjoy buying coffee there.
So, there you go. Let the Victrola kvetching begin. But keep it constructive so the new guy has something to work with. For every problem, like JH, make sure to include a solution.
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I love Victrola. Sure, they have some shortcomings but they don’t really bother me because I like the place. Lots of tables, great drip coffee, excellent espresso drinks (if not a bit slow).
With regard to non-fat milk I can’t complain because I don’t like non-fat milk. :)
With regard to Sunday morning disarray, I’ve never really noticed it but I’m not really looking for it either. They do have an ecclectic assortment of spoons, don’t they?
With regard to the whole “attitide” complaint I think it depends on which staff member you get. Most are friendly. A few are a little bit cool (i.e. not overly friendly) but I’ve never found anyone to actually be UNfriendly to me and I’m an almost every day regular.
Victrola has character. That’s what’s great about it. I think more businesses should be willing to have a unique character. Otherwise your business ends up being elevator music.
And I love their no wi-fi on weekends policy.
I dunno… I think I can remember one time, maybe two times, when I went in there and they gave me a smile. I’m a pretty friendly person, and I kept going again and again, thinking that it must be my imagination… but I always had pretty lame experiences there. Victrola baristas are mean! And the coffee is fine, but it’s not worth all the suffering, etc.
So I gave up on them completely. I like peering in at the art from outside, though.
I used to be a barista at Victrola back in the day. I was very sad to learn that Jen and Chris were selling the store(s) but I’ve been told that the management of the stores is staying the same. In defense of Victrola and it’s staff, it’s pretty damn crazy during the weekends. Yes, customer service is VERY important but trying to deal with the line out the door is a huge challenge. I’ve also noticed that most of the faces there are new…I’m guessing it’s a flow issue and hopefully something that works out soon. As far as the “attitude” issue, I’ve never felt that myself. The only person in the store who knows me now is the manager so it wouldn’t be because I used to work there.
I personally hope that the new owners continue the traditions of hosting community events, local musicians and other fun things from time to time. I really loved listening to ukulele players while cleaning the counters and watching my co-worker (who know works at the Pike street store) making awesome lattes.
I suggest, if you’re really upset with them, sending a letter to the new owners or manager.
Oh, and I have to second pfft’s comment about the no-wifi policy.
haha, I love it – classic Seattle passive aggressiveness – post your complaints on a blog rather than telling the business owner (which might actually do some good).
I wonder if they are getting the “Starbucks” attitude of if you are order coffee or straight espresso you are cheap and have no business clogging up the line.
I am sure when you requested the non-fat milk they thought: “if you are going to be cheap and order coffee instead of a latte don’t be asking for special milk”
Of course their espresso drinks are only $2.50 vs. Starbucks $4 so maybe I am wrong.
However, get your lazy buns off of 15th Ave and walk down to to the other Victrola near Boren it’s way cooler. Victrola has the best espresso drinks but there “coffee” is kind of weird for my taste.
I love Victrola, but yeah, the last few times I’ve been there on a Sunday it looked like Dresden after the bombs.
Really like the new location, though.
I’m hardly a regular at Victrola, I usually only grab a to-go latte when I drop off my dry cleaning, but the coffee is good for that part of the hill and the baristas are nice. I have to say I am amazed at the whiny customers. Nearly every time I’ve been there, someone is moaning about lack of wifi on the weekends, the shape of their milk fern, or how someone else is in the bathroom when they want to use it.
I’ve tried it a couple times and am always disappointed with the nasty drip coffee. It’s acidic and burnt. I thought they must’ve made a bad batch and gave them the benefit of the doubt. But, alas, it’s still sick burnt acrid cedar metallic aluminum foil in my mouth sludge.
Just because it’s oily and fresh roasted, doesn’t mean it’s good.
It can be a bit sour if that’s not your thing. It’s definitely a fairly unique blend as far as my experience with cafes goes.
But I don’t personally find that it tastes burnt.