Second Cup at Yonge and Eglinton
January 17, 2011 by Marguerite Orane
Filed under Featured Posts, Free and Laughing, Love
One of the things I love is to find businesses that are free and laughing! A few weeks ago I met my friend Trecia for coffee at Second Cup on Yonge and Eglinton (40 Eglinton East to be exact) in Toronto. As I was standing there waiting to place my order, I noticed how happy the team members were. They was a lovely conversational buzz, peppered with laughter as one of them quietly sang – all while taking and fulfilling orders. Many customers were greeted by name, and all of us with smiles. I like this place, I thought to myself.
Then I fell in love.
A visit to the Ladies Room revealed one of those tiny little seemingly insignificant service details that tell you how in tune the management and staff are to their guests every need. Ladies – you know how you head to the restroom with bag, maybe two, coat, scarf and gloves? And you have to do your thing with two hands free. Where do you put your stuff? That always presents a conundrum. If you are lucky there are one or two small hooks on the door. If you are not, you have to rest bags on the floor (yuck) and throw the coat and scarf over the top of the door. Well, at this Second Cup, there in the corner of the restroom was a TABLE! Oh bliss! Oh heaven! Someone had realized that all I need is a clean, large surface on which to easily and effortlessly rest my stuff. A tiny detail, but one that I had NEVER seen anywhere before.
I burst out of the Ladies Room beaming and raving to Mike, who turned out to be the owner. We had a lovely chat, and I congratulated him on his demonstration of sterling customer service. He shyly and graciously stated that he and his team were just trying to please. I left that Second Cup beaming and happy, and I haven’t stop talking about it since.
Two weeks later, I suggested it to another friend. Would you believe that as I walked in and said “Hi Mike”, he said “Hi Marguerite”?
Free and laughing service at its best – a proprietor and team who are present to the needs of their customers and who truly love every single one of us.
Excellent. The little things make all the difference. Thank you for sharing. My mantra for this is “show me you know me”. Mike and his team have definitely passed the test.
Really a thoughtful touch,perhaps Mike should circularize the other
Second Cup stores,such a small detail but absolutely effective. G
Hi Marguerite!
Glad you found an awesome photo of the bathroom table! Something was up with my camera because when I checked the pictures I only managed to get one photo of the floor LOL!
You are right. There was definitely an amazing energy in that place and I was also impressed at how friendly everyone was in a genuine-feeling way. They knew people by name and as you say, offered everyone a smile and great service. Extremely refreshing! Also a nice location to people watch if you sit near the window at the stools. Would definitely return!
Yes Nigel – that’s the name of the game – not just know your customers, genuinely LOVE them!
Great idea Gloria! But they can’t copy Mike and his team’s genuine love for everyone who comes through the door! When you come back to TO, we can have coffee there!