Damian H.
Yelp
I have been a loyal patron of the Newsfeed Cafe since it opened. Today will be my the last.
I'll start by saying that I have been using the library as a study space since the new edition opened several years ago. I love the open layout, and have enjoyed it ever since, particularly the Newsfeed Cafe.
At the same time, while I get that the library has (understandably valid) rules against eating in the main areas, the rules against outside food elsewhere are both ambiguous and unevenly enforced. Today, during a full day of studying, I needed a break to eat lunch (a salad that I had admittedly purchased elsewhere). Because there are never enough seats or places to eat to begin with, I found an open spot at the end of a long table in the Cafe to quickly eat said salad. Out of nowhere, I was swiftly approached by a manager (the infamous Karen other reviewers speak of) and was very rudely "reminded" of the "no outside food" policy, and was told to leave. Now, it would have been reasonable if she spoke to me politely, but this woman came at me with one of the most condescending, cavalier attitudes I have ever seen in customer service. Not only that, she spoke to me in a way that made me feel embarrassed in front of a large crowd of people given her unnecessarily nasty tone. There is no reason to speak to me like a child. I was so in shock I didn't know what to say.
I have been coming to this library regularly for years, and have been nothing but a decent patron (a patron who in that time has spent literally hundreds of dollars on food and drink alone at Newsfeed). Well, today is my last. I hope someone in management, other than this woman, takes notice. This is absolutely no way to treat a loyal customer, let alone anyone. Shame on you Newsfeed Cafe.