Comments on: Deep in Hipster Country, Mediocrity Festers http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/ A review blog Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:24:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: BushwickBK.com » Blog Archive » Sick of The Archive http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-12 BushwickBK.com » Blog Archive » Sick of The Archive Fri, 04 May 2007 23:39:09 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-12 [...] partner Luis was pissed that I gave The Archive such a bad review in my upstart café review blog — “it’s all we have!” — but I’m just so sick of this half-assed [...] […] partner Luis was pissed that I gave The Archive such a bad review in my upstart café review blog — “it’s all we have!” — but I’m just so sick of this half-assed […]

]]> By: Steven Patrick http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-13 Steven Patrick Sat, 05 May 2007 15:52:27 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-13 Well not really the only option..Potion is a few blocks away and is generally pretty good. The MAIN problem with both places (and honestly most places in Wburg) is the service. Getting kids who don't really give a fuck to run your cafe is not a good idea.In the cases of both Potion (Len and Jen) and Archive (Jon and Craig), the ownership couldnt be nicer and humble...it's the staff that sucks. But the question is......who do you get to man these spots? In the type of hood that they exist in...it's probably the best idea to staff them with people who resemble the clientele..meaning hip looking kids. None of these kids have these jobs as the main thing in their life so reason dictates that they will be lethargic and ambivelant. I also am still waiting for some really smart person to open a spot in the hood hat excedes mediocrity. It will happen and it will be very successful. Well not really the only option..Potion is a few blocks away and is generally pretty good. The MAIN problem with both places (and honestly most places in Wburg) is the service. Getting kids who don’t really give a fuck to run your cafe is not a good idea.In the cases of both Potion (Len and Jen) and Archive (Jon and Craig), the ownership couldnt be nicer and humble…it’s the staff that sucks. But the question is……who do you get to man these spots? In the type of hood that they exist in…it’s probably the best idea to staff them with people who resemble the clientele..meaning hip looking kids. None of these kids have these jobs as the main thing in their life so reason dictates that they will be lethargic and ambivelant. I also am still waiting for some really smart person to open a spot in the hood hat excedes mediocrity. It will happen and it will be very successful.

]]> By: Jeremy http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-14 Jeremy Sat, 05 May 2007 20:23:05 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-14 Yeah, I keep forgetting about Potion. I'll get there some day soon. I get your point about the staff pool but cafes all over the city and the country are staffed with hipsters, and I have only rarely been treated liek such crap as I have at this place. Again, this isn't to say they're all jerks, a lot are nice. Still hoping for another café this side of Flushing. Yeah, I keep forgetting about Potion. I’ll get there some day soon.

I get your point about the staff pool but cafes all over the city and the country are staffed with hipsters, and I have only rarely been treated liek such crap as I have at this place. Again, this isn’t to say they’re all jerks, a lot are nice.

Still hoping for another café this side of Flushing.

]]> By: Jon Williams http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-15 Jon Williams Mon, 07 May 2007 20:53:44 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-15 I really like the term "bodega belt" -- can I get a formal definition of it though? I really like the term “bodega belt” — can I get a formal definition of it though?

]]> By: Jeremy http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-16 Jeremy Mon, 07 May 2007 21:09:05 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-16 Ah it was just a cute phrase, but I'd say that area ends just before Flushing on the east, but as you get closer to Central it curves sharply down toward Jefferson Streetish. I'm sure before '77 it went all the way to Flushing. Ah it was just a cute phrase, but I’d say that area ends just before Flushing on the east, but as you get closer to Central it curves sharply down toward Jefferson Streetish. I’m sure before ‘77 it went all the way to Flushing.

]]> By: Righteous Motherfucker http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-17 Righteous Motherfucker Thu, 10 May 2007 23:39:53 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-17 I have never said "brah" in my life and am incapable of making a poor espresso. Nice touch though. Really adds to the picture you took behind my back. Asshole? That's a bit much. Why don't you just tell them I was eating a baby at the time if you want your meager audience to hate me so hard? Did you stare at me in loathing glee while punching out your masterpeice, spitting espresso between your teeth in repulsion? I mean who does that? Who willingly (masochistically) does something they hate so much and then blames it on the help? I would never do that. You're a mean person, and you shouldn't come back to Archive until you learn how to deal. And I've never been to Kansas. Catchya later~ I have never said “brah” in my life and am incapable of making a poor espresso. Nice touch though. Really adds to the picture you took behind my back. Asshole? That’s a bit much. Why don’t you just tell them I was eating a baby at the time if you want your meager audience to hate me so hard?

Did you stare at me in loathing glee while punching out your masterpeice, spitting espresso between your teeth in repulsion? I mean who does that? Who willingly (masochistically) does something they hate so much and then blames it on the help? I would never do that.

You’re a mean person, and you shouldn’t come back to Archive until you learn how to deal.

And I’ve never been to Kansas.

Catchya later~

]]> By: Jeremy http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-18 Jeremy Fri, 11 May 2007 00:08:53 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-18 A ringing endorsement of the service at the Archive. This is a REVIEW BLOG, you dingbat -- I tried the espresso, it was crap. That's not masochism, it's part of the "job." You got a bad review, too bad so sad, maybe you should try not sucking. That would help. Plenty of positive reviews on this site, so it's not me. The last thing I want is to trash anything in my own hood but I'm not gonna sugar coat anything. Maybe you should stop working in the service industry "until you can deal" with criticism. A ringing endorsement of the service at the Archive. This is a REVIEW BLOG, you dingbat — I tried the espresso, it was crap. That’s not masochism, it’s part of the “job.” You got a bad review, too bad so sad, maybe you should try not sucking. That would help. Plenty of positive reviews on this site, so it’s not me. The last thing I want is to trash anything in my own hood but I’m not gonna sugar coat anything.

Maybe you should stop working in the service industry “until you can deal” with criticism.

]]> By: Yury http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-19 Yury Fri, 11 May 2007 04:18:25 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-19 The service at the Archive for the most part is fine. What I can't get past is the music. IT SUCKS! To run in and grab some videos or a quick cup of coffee is okay.If you want to get some work done this is not the place. The service at the Archive for the most part is fine. What I can’t get past is the music. IT SUCKS! To run in and grab some videos or a quick cup of coffee is okay.If you want to get some work done this is not the place.

]]> By: Jim Brewer http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-21 Jim Brewer Fri, 11 May 2007 17:31:40 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-21 Wow....If the Archive dudes completely unprofessional response is indicative of the types of people that work there I think I may reconsider supporting it. How lame. Wow….If the Archive dudes completely unprofessional response is indicative of the types of people that work there I think I may reconsider supporting it. How lame.

]]> By: Righteous Motherfucker http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-22 Righteous Motherfucker Sat, 12 May 2007 00:27:02 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-22 Completely unprofessional response? How about this completely unprofessional review blog? You're just a bunch of haters. Lame. Completely unprofessional response? How about this completely unprofessional review blog? You’re just a bunch of haters. Lame.

]]> By: Steven Patrick http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-23 Steven Patrick Sat, 12 May 2007 03:29:34 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-23 I am sure Craig and Jon would be thrilled to know that their employee is arguing online with a reviewer who thought he was a jerk. Kind of proves the reviewers point, no? I am sure Craig and Jon would be thrilled to know that their employee is arguing online with a reviewer who thought he was a jerk. Kind of proves the reviewers point, no?

]]> By: SOMEOTHERGUY http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-24 SOMEOTHERGUY Sat, 12 May 2007 17:50:25 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-24 Hey Jeremey...... I didn't write a crappy review when you served me those soggy fries and forgot to ask me if I wanted a hot apple pie did I? Hey Jeremey…… I didn’t write a crappy review when you served me those soggy fries and forgot to ask me if I wanted a hot apple pie did I?

]]> By: D http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-25 D Sun, 13 May 2007 07:55:51 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-25 i like your observation about the kansan (most likely) behind the counter. its hard to believe these kids think theyre cool. i like your observation about the kansan (most likely) behind the counter. its hard to believe these kids think theyre cool.

]]> By: Righteous Motherfucker http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-26 Righteous Motherfucker Sun, 13 May 2007 20:43:49 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-26 Haters. All you people do is project. And on that note I'm out. Haters. All you people do is project. And on that note I’m out.

]]> By: minty http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-27 minty Mon, 14 May 2007 17:51:53 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-27 Ha ha. At least he's now aware that he uses terms like "brah". I can only hope he's also become aware that he's working for tips and needs to make a cup of shut the fuck up before he serves other people their morning brew. Dude, you're still using surferspeak in your responses. Dig your hole deeper--maybe you can reach Java by sunset. Ha ha. At least he’s now aware that he uses terms like “brah”. I can only hope he’s also become aware that he’s working for tips and needs to make a cup of shut the fuck up before he serves other people their morning brew. Dude, you’re still using surferspeak in your responses. Dig your hole deeper–maybe you can reach Java by sunset.

]]> By: The Archive http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-28 The Archive Mon, 14 May 2007 22:19:47 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-28 Current patrons of The Archive, Please allow us to apologize for any perceived lax service on our end. We try very hard to staff our coffee shop with people who are friendly, courteous, interesting, and most of all, good baristas. It is very troubling to read this 'war of words' about the one thing that we care most about, service. We appreciate every customer that comes into our store and hope that comes through. We understand that this forum is a good sounding board to air any grievances and we welcome all criticism, assuming it's constructive. However, we don't think it is fair to admonish one of our employees for being upset about being personally attacked. We're just letting you all know, we read this stuff, and it doesn't go unnoticed, or unaccounted for. Jeremy, we're sincerely sorry you had a bad experience, please come in for a shot of Espresso on us. Warmest Regards, Jon and Craig PS Any music requests? Brad moonlights as a DJ. Current patrons of The Archive,

Please allow us to apologize for any perceived lax service on our end. We try very hard to staff our coffee shop with people who are friendly, courteous, interesting, and most of all, good baristas. It is very troubling to read this ‘war of words’ about the one thing that we care most about, service. We appreciate every customer that comes into our store and hope that comes through.

We understand that this forum is a good sounding board to air any grievances and we welcome all criticism, assuming it’s constructive. However, we don’t think it is fair to admonish one of our employees for being upset about being personally attacked. We’re just letting you all know, we read this stuff, and it doesn’t go unnoticed, or unaccounted for.

Jeremy, we’re sincerely sorry you had a bad experience, please come in for a shot of Espresso on us.

Warmest Regards,

Jon and Craig

PS Any music requests? Brad moonlights as a DJ.

]]> By: Jeremy http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-29 Jeremy Mon, 14 May 2007 23:01:11 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-29 That's a classy response, though I must clarify that I never named any one employee, and in fact, there were several there that day. The photo I took was a random one of the front of the shop -- the flash was on, nobody was hiding. His back being in the picture was not meant to implicate him, and I didn't even notice he was in the photo. I suppose he recognized himself in the description -- which makes his objections odd. Further, this wasn't one experience, as I purposely wrote this after at least 10 visits. I still like the place a lot, but your espresso is the pits -- or at least, this one guy is a bad barista. The service has been bad or the employees have been rude for most of those visits. Anyway, I'm not owed anything, but since I thnk nobody knows my face thus far, I'll keep visiting and in a few months might re-review the place. And yes, I admit I am very much enjoying this. I'm surprised this has gotten nearly as much attention as it has! That’s a classy response, though I must clarify that I never named any one employee, and in fact, there were several there that day. The photo I took was a random one of the front of the shop — the flash was on, nobody was hiding. His back being in the picture was not meant to implicate him, and I didn’t even notice he was in the photo. I suppose he recognized himself in the description — which makes his objections odd.

Further, this wasn’t one experience, as I purposely wrote this after at least 10 visits. I still like the place a lot, but your espresso is the pits — or at least, this one guy is a bad barista. The service has been bad or the employees have been rude for most of those visits.

Anyway, I’m not owed anything, but since I thnk nobody knows my face thus far, I’ll keep visiting and in a few months might re-review the place.

And yes, I admit I am very much enjoying this. I’m surprised this has gotten nearly as much attention as it has!

]]> By: BushwickBK.com — Blog, forum, pictures, info from Bushwick, Brooklyn » Blog Archive » Ohhh Shit — It. Is. ON. http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-33 BushwickBK.com — Blog, forum, pictures, info from Bushwick, Brooklyn » Blog Archive » Ohhh Shit — It. Is. ON. Thu, 31 May 2007 02:43:01 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-33 [...] Changeling in Bed-Stuy challenges my characterization of Bushwick proper as the Bodega Belt, and that her hood might have more bodegas per capita. Mm-mm, girl, you need to take a walk up in [...] […] Changeling in Bed-Stuy challenges my characterization of Bushwick proper as the Bodega Belt, and that her hood might have more bodegas per capita. Mm-mm, girl, you need to take a walk up in […]

]]> By: Cafehop.com — Café hopping in New York City » Blog Archive » Dean and DeLuca: Well Past Its Prime http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-35 Cafehop.com — Café hopping in New York City » Blog Archive » Dean and DeLuca: Well Past Its Prime Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:23:37 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-35 [...] espresso needs its own paragraph. It is the worst espresso I have had so far in New York City. The Archive in Bushwick, whose espresso is the absolute pits, at least has a pathetic attempt at crema on top. Dean and [...] […] espresso needs its own paragraph. It is the worst espresso I have had so far in New York City. The Archive in Bushwick, whose espresso is the absolute pits, at least has a pathetic attempt at crema on top. Dean and […]

]]> By: Jim Brewer http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-38 Jim Brewer Thu, 14 Jun 2007 20:49:55 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-38 I recently had a hilariously bad experience at The Archive as well. Basically they forgot to make 3/4 of what I ordered and when I did get my items they were either poor or given to me with no care whatsoever. It really depends on who you get I think...I have never found anyone there to be very friendly but the sort of hip-hop looking guy (I know thats a lame description....buzzed hair...plain t-shirt with "urban gear" logo,etc) that i got last week was extremely unpleasant. Again, the owners are nice but the staff can be a real downer, which sucks because it's exactly the kind off place that I would love to support. I recently had a hilariously bad experience at The Archive as well. Basically they forgot to make 3/4 of what I ordered and when I did get my items they were either poor or given to me with no care whatsoever. It really depends on who you get I think…I have never found anyone there to be very friendly but the sort of hip-hop looking guy (I know thats a lame description….buzzed hair…plain t-shirt with “urban gear” logo,etc) that i got last week was extremely unpleasant. Again, the owners are nice but the staff can be a real downer, which sucks because it’s exactly the kind off place that I would love to support.

]]> By: Erin http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-69 Erin Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:24:03 +0000 http://cafehop.com/2007/05/04/deep-in-hipster-country-mediocrity-festers/#comment-69 I have been to the Archive a few times and have liked every experience. Only once has an employee seemed like he wanted to go home, but you can't always catch everyone on their best day. Yesterday around 2pm were the nicest employees yet. I actually enjoy their espresso and also enjoy the fact that they tamp it themselves. I have been to a few places lately where pressing a button is the only means of making their espresso and it makes me cringe to know I paid $3-4 for a latte after that. There seem to be some employees at The Archive who actually take pride in what they do. I like the atmosphere as well; it's cozy. Everyone has different opinions on places and that's the beauty of being able to write a review. Well, I'm off to the Archive.. I have been to the Archive a few times and have liked every experience. Only once has an employee seemed like he wanted to go home, but you can’t always catch everyone on their best day. Yesterday around 2pm were the nicest employees yet. I actually enjoy their espresso and also enjoy the fact that they tamp it themselves. I have been to a few places lately where pressing a button is the only means of making their espresso and it makes me cringe to know I paid $3-4 for a latte after that. There seem to be some employees at The Archive who actually take pride in what they do. I like the atmosphere as well; it’s cozy. Everyone has different opinions on places and that’s the beauty of being able to write a review. Well, I’m off to the Archive..

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