The Second Cup

It’s right across the street from the bus stop and RWB. The pastries are a hit and miss. Sometimes they are stale, but the staff is very accommodating to replace it. Their baklava, when they have it, is the best that I’ve had in a very long time. They are open later than most of the eateries in the area, which is nice because it keeps that intersection feel safe. They close at 10:30pm. The coffee is a hit and miss. You just have to try them all and find the one you like. The hot chocolate is delicious and there is all sorts of different seasonings on the side to put on your drink. The prices are low and medium.
The only bad thing I have to say is that they could be open a little bit later. There are some businesses near the area that have shifts ending at 11pm or some people miss their bus if they get off late. I have my daughter dropped off with me and it’s disappointing when we have to wait 30 minutes in a cold bus shack for the next bus if we miss ours.
The washrooms are a bit dingy. There is only one key and 2 stalls, but they are not the most private stalls. There is no paper towels and the hand dryer is broken.
And then sometimes the staff close 30 minutes early.

My mother recently rediscovered her love for Second Cup coffee and it had become an ongoing battle of «where to go for coffee» between us because up until recently I refused to go anywhere but Starbucks (I’m really, really picky about my lattes). But late last year I decided to buy a pop art ceramic mug for my mom’s birthday (she had been eyeing it for months) at this location and I was really impressed with the customer service.
It’s pretty rare that I experience good customer service ANYWHERE downtown (including Starbucks) so I was really happy that the lady working went out of her way to find me a box with styrofoam to pack the mug in AND a cute paper bag that looked a lot like a gift bag, when I told her it was for my mom’s birthday (she didn’t charge me extra for either).
As for the coffee, I decided I would get my mom a $ 30 gift certificate (ya I know, original) from the same location for Xmas. They have this promotion on where you recieve a free latte if you put $ 30 on one of the Second Cup cards/​GC so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try a Caramel Corretto. I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. My mom was completely right when she told me that their coffee is MUCH stronger in flavour and caffeine than Starbucks.
So overall I’m pretty much a convert. I go to university a few blocks away and will definitely be back whenever I need a fix.
P. S. The Raspberry Dark Chocolate Latte is delicious.