Breon Bradley 06-13-2024 3 min read
I recently visited Union Coffee Cup, centrally located in Glendale, Arizona, off 67th Avenue and Thunderbird. This coffee shop appears to be a community staple, and I've always been curious about it. As a virtual assistant who likes to work from different locations, I wanted to see if this could be a new productive workspace for me.
When I walked in, I noticed the inside was much busier than the parking lot suggested. Most of the 12 indoor tables were occupied, with four additional tables outside on the patio. The background music was at a low volume, creating a calm atmosphere.
The service experience was mixed. There were two staff members: one cheerful barista making the orders and a less enthusiastic cashier taking them. I felt anxious ordering as I didn't know what to get and the cashier's attitude didn’t help. I ordered a Colombian espresso, expecting a hot coffee with French vanilla creamer, but they don't add creamer to their hot coffee. It was a very strong black coffee with a bitter taste. My second order was a lemonade tea combo, a favorite of mine, but I was disappointed to find only unique combinations like blue raspberry lemonade with white grape tea, which didn’t suit my taste.
The menu is limited, focusing primarily on drinks with a few breakfast sandwiches, scones, and cookies. I spent about $17 on two drinks, which I felt was overpriced for what I got.
Work Environment
I sat down to work but quickly realized they don’t offer free Wi-Fi, or if they do, it's hard to access. This is a major downside for someone who needs internet for work. Additionally, I couldn't find the restroom easily, which prompted me to leave after an hour and a half.
Conclusion
Union Coffee Cup is great for socializing or casual visits but not ideal for working. The limited menu, lack of easy Wi-Fi access, and difficulty finding facilities make it less suitable for a productive workspace. There are better options available that offer more amenities for those looking to work from a coffee shop.