Brew It Boutique - Kanata

TLDR: Store sells past “best by” date food items and will kick you out if you point it out.

I went into the Kanata store today (Dec 30, 2024, around noon) intending to purchase a Torani syrup and asked for assistance when I couldn’t find a particular flavour. The employee (or owner, not sure) helped me find it, grabbed one off the shelf for me, and started carrying it to the counter. Knowing they do try to sell things past BB date, I wanted to hold off for a moment because I wanted to check the date on the bottle, but she was clutching it close to her body. Instead, I looked at the other bottles and noticed one at the front had a 2027 date, and the other (behind the one she had grabbed) said 2026. Not too much of a difference but my household goes through them very slowly.

The following is almost word for word our conversation from that point:
Me: Oh, I wanted to grab one with a longer shelf life.
Her: They’re all the same. **red flag: an obvious lie**
Me: Um, I see there are a couple different ones, I think I want one that says 2027.
Her: You can’t buy that one. I have to sell you this first so I don’t have to put them on the blow out counter. **note: if I had found the flavour first, I would have grabbed the 2027 one anyway and taken it to the check out counter myself**
Me: But you have expired ones over there.
Her: Yes that’s why I have to sell you this first.
Me: But you can’t sell expired ones?
Her: Yes I can.
Me: No you can’t?
Her (very aggressively): Get out of my store.

I wasn’t looking to pick a fight, and at that point I didn’t even want to buy anything from there, so I left.

I worked in a retail store that sold food for 6 years and we always pulled past BB dates off the shelves, so I did genuinely think you couldn’t, but it’s possible I just worked for a store that was way more hygienic than this one. I looked into it after, and while it’s not illegal, it sure is unethical and questionable. Furthermore, her behaviour was entirely inappropriate and frankly, suspicious.

I concede it’s her right to ask me to leave if she’d like (which I promptly did without further argument), as is my right to leave this review detailing this troubling and upsetting incident. I was absolutely shocked at her aggressiveness and anger, and how quickly she escalated the conversation. I’ve never in my life been asked to leave a store or been treated that way by customer service. To the employee, if you’re reading this: I’d strongly urge you to find a different line of work, ideally something that doesn’t involve interacting with the general public.

See attached photos of some past BB syrups they try to sell at a (laughable) discount, ranging from 2 months past date to 20 (yes, 20!) months. I should also add that there isn’t clear signage indicating that these products are past date. Some of the worst were: April 2023 (Honey), Jan 2024 (Peanut butter), Feb 2024 (orange), March 2024 (Huckleberry, tangerine) - all visible in the photos.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The wall of pods is a fantastic idea. Excellent selection.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Whoever was driving this vehicle down dalmeny rd coming from kemptvile on 19/12/2024 needs to be terminated immediately. The person was riding my bumper and then passed me 100ft before the stop sign and then went right through the stop . That turns onto Gordon Murdock.

Learn how to drive

Had on of this company’s vehicles drive on my bumper the whole way down Leitrim Road while I was already going over the speed limit. They then tried to threaten me and slammed on their brakes when they passed me (unsafely I might add) so I would rear end them. I would NEVER order coffee from this company if that’s how you deliver it. Be polite to other drivers on the road.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

This shop sells coffee in bulk to go

Atmosphere: 3

Service: 5

If they don't have the coffee you want then you don't need it!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great spot to pick up your favourite K-Cups!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

This isn't a cafe, but rather a place to purchase a wide variety of tea and coffee for use in the home.I love it for the variety and am sad there is no longer a location in the east end of the city due to high rents.They offer online shopping with delivery, but there is a minimum order to get free delivery.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

So excited that Kim is here. Worth the drive from Orleans. Amazing service and Vanhoutte chocolate raspberry is back! So excited!

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 4

You should probably let paying customers use the bathroom when you’re serving drinks.

I love this coffee shop with all the different flavors of Keurig

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Ordered coffee beans in September with a promised delivery period of 26 to 60 days. Still haven't received the items. Contacted the company in November, and the owner's response was arrogant, entitled and unprofessional. Instead of addressing the overdue delivery, they suggested a different delivery option for tracking.I was told to wait 90 days for international delivery, but the items never arrived. Multiple attempts to contact the company went unanswered. The owner multiple times called me by the name from my email address, despite different names on the order, display name and the sign-off name. When I brought it up, the owner dismissed it and told me not to use that email address.I paid in advance for the items, but the company failed to fulfill its duty and yet no refund. The most disgusting part my experience is the owner’s entitlement.

The store is fine but I'm giving it 1 star because they wouldn't let a toddler go to the washroom just because her dad didn't buy anything.So inhumane and gross.

My two year old daughter needed to go to the washroom . I walked in asking to use her toilet . Was told it was for customer only . She clearly saw that my toddler needed to go. I understand it’s just for customers but if u see a toddler needing to go youd think they would allow this. Especially when I have been a customer in the past