Bean Around The World Coffee

I was jogging by with my five month old baby (she in a jogging stroller). I needed to use a a washroom. I understand that this is technically the downtown east side so businesses are reluctant to offer restrooms to non customers, however I believe it was patently clear I was/​am not a drug addict.
The older man behind the counter quickly refused me when I asked, no apology. I needed to buy something if I wanted to use the washroom. Okay, I thought, I’ll buy something. The man responded by walking away from me began talking to a woman (may have been his wife?), so I stood there waiting for him to come back so I could buy something. It took ages. I decided on a slice of earl grey loaf. As I picked it up it felt hard as though it had been sitting there for days. I asked (politely, I thought) when it was made. He said immediately «today,» while sneering at me as though I were trying to rob the place (If it was made that day they need to find a better baker). And, then he walked away again. His attitude was so unnecessarily rude I found myself feeling angry. I didn’t know what to do, I put down the slice of earl grey loaf and started to leave, he turned to me and said, ‘yes, go.’ That put me over the edge. I asked him why he needed to be so rude and he just stared at me. The woman behind the counter came out to me and said ‘lo siento’ (spanish). I guess she didn’t speak english, but she seemed to at least feel bad about the encounter. I will never go back to this establishment. The rudeness was startling. It is no way to run a business. I was hardly a threat to these people, I had a five month old baby with me! I was not about to rob the place. I simply needed to use a washroom. If they had been more gracious I might have become a customer, but now I wouldn’t recommend the place to an enemy.

In all the confusion of a Chinese neighborhood stubborn in maintaining it’s traditional language and culture, Hogan’s Alley café has emerged as a middle class condo owner mecca. Providing slick reflective counters, big pots of coffee, an interesting patio view, and free wi fi, this location offers all the comforts one can expect in Strathcona or «new Main st.» and it has spurred several similar developments on the block.
Although a cultural slap in the face that can be quite easily parodied, the service here is definitely above par. Friendly baristas, good coffee, and no reluctance to give up a seat while you jockey their wifi. In the summer it was popular with the construction crowd, it’s now popular with the turtle necks, and soon it will be popular with Union st bike path as the year warms up; you can’t say the crowd is a complete lack of diversity.
And besides, where else do you get coffee in this neighborhood? Other than the Waves 2 blocks away, or the Bean Around the world 4 blocks, or the other Waves a further block down, or the Union st market, or the Starbucks at the skytrain platform, or the plethora of independant coffee shops opened beneath the last condo. Or even the new, condo friendly Brixton café.
It’s hard to not get jittery just thinking about it.

This corner café is on the main bike route for any biker truckin down Union st… Its cozy and easy access, with 2010 coming you can see the giant bus parking lot coming to life across the way… This place is going to get really busy soon.
I like the roast flavor BeanATW serves up for me, its similar to JJ Bean but different.

Nice friendly staff and REALLY GOOD COFFEE (sorry, was I yelling? it was the caffeine).