I have a love/hate relationship with Press. First and foremost I want to say that I enjoy all of their cafes and almost always walk away feeling better than when I arrived. Almost. Since Press entered the coffee game here in the Valley, they have set their own standards and pace. They have vision to strategically place shops in prime central locations throughout the valley. I really enjoy the style and panache that they bring to each and everyone of the spots too. The North Phoenix location is in my mind the best Cafe (design wise) in town.
The issue I have is with some of their roasts and some of their staff. If you read my 2019/2020 All Valley article I talk about their sour medium roast that honestly is tough to even call drinkable. Not only that, but the staff recommended it as one of their best picks. Now I fully understand different strokes for different folks but this was a stretch. What I believe happened was that a young barista was simply trying to push a batch of unpopular coffee onto an unsuspecting patron. That is neither here nor there and I am willing to forget the issue and move on.
With that being said, poor service and a lack of decorum is an entirely different matter. A couple months ago I stopped in to the downtown location and ordered a drink while I prepared for an upcoming meeting. I don’t really feel its productive to get into the details but I was left feeling ignored and almost paid for a drink that was never served. The conclusion I draw then is that perhaps this is a culture issue within the workplace and issues like this are perhaps common place. I don’t know. Like any customer all I really want is to feel welcomed and get value out of the service rendered. In situations like these I tend to give businesses more than a couple chances to prove me wrong.
The problem is for the most part their coffee is really good. They are local and they Roast in house. The styling, music and vibe are all enjoyable. So its hard to justify a blacklist in my book. This is my love/hate relationship. I end up holding my breath every time I venture in and hope for the best but expect the worst. In the end it makes me want to start my own cafe. Press seems like it has it all. The design, the roasts… shoot even the cups are freaking amazing.
It lacks humanity though.
It lacks the warmth that you get from a cozy coffee shop. The warmth that comes from people who love something and for just a moment. You too can feel that love. I have felt this power halfway across the world. Not knowing the language not understanding the culture, I still can sit and bask in the comfort that a coffee shop can bring. Its not magic, it exists because the people that pour themselves into their passion can be felt. This pursuit of something greater is what makes us people.
I wish Press had that.