Corner Perk Cafe, Bar, Roasters

Reviews 5

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Jessica Warner

I loved the original location. A small cozy coffee shop with plenty of locals that gave you a home away from home feel. The new location is both coffee shop and cafe. There is an important difference between the two. This cafe set up means you cant really stay and have multiple coffees, work on your computer, or casually socialize at all. You arent going to be able to catch up with the owner, you are going to order food from a waitress and eat it at your table. And heaven help you if you say hello to the person at the table next to you! You can almost see everyones personal bubble of exclusion go up in there. Even beyond that, with the proliferation of restaurants/cafes in the downtown area the draw of food at the corner perk isnt strong. The irony is the main selling point (HELLO COFFEE) is being downplayed for the food. I dont think it is possible to change this now because they would need a different interior design and business plan, I just mourn the loss I suppose. The secondary problem is the service. It isnt Starbucks (thank god) but it is supposed to be a coffee shop. I expect my coffee to be ordered and delivered within 5 minutes, long lines not permitting. As a former barista I know that is possible. I have gone to the new location five times (way over my normal 3 chance limit) and received pretty slow service with it taking over 15 minutes to receive a simple latte. Another irony is that there are more employees than at the old location and you would think that would equate to faster service. Alas, so far not so true! I believe they even have a manager for all these employees yet they all seem to huddle behind the bar focused on each other not the clientele. I love the idea of the Corner Perk but cant justify continued patronage with how it is run now. If its employees get a stronger grasp of quick service maybe I can. All a good business needs is a clean location and to provide great customer service. The new location is beautiful please upgrade the service so I can buy local again!

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Don Schueler

First, the new building and location are great! There is so much potential there. I went in today for the first time. It was a short line when I walked up but the guy in front of bolted just as I got there. That made me wonder. When I finally got to the register I ordered a drip coffee and a slice of lemon cake. The guy at the register looked confused...he said is that for here? I said yes...they he proceeded to talk me into leaving the register and taking a seat and he would send a waiter over. That took forever. When they finally waited on me...I ordered the same thing...that took a goo 10 minutes for that to arrive. Then I asked for half and half and Splenda. That took another 5-8 minutes. Now in fairness, the tables, chairs, napkins, real cups, cool splenda dispenser were all "nice"...but it just took me forever to get a simple coffee. I would have been in and through Starbucks 10 times in the time it took me here. THEN, when I asked for my check..the waitress said..are you done ALREADY? I got the check and paid with a $20 so I would have change for a tip. They couldnt find change since they are stuck on being cool with their IPADS and SQUARE to collect funds. I offered to pay by card..but they said no....then the change came and there were no $1s for a tip...I said oh..I will need change for a tip..they said dont worry about it. SO...while there is a ton of potential here, the owners need to take a close look at HOW they deliver...its to convoluted and its inefficient. If I want to HANG...I want it to be because I want to sit..not because the service is so inefficient that I have to wait. SO much potential here...but so BROKEN.

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Lynnea Bowman

Corner Perk used to be one of my favorite places to visit when in Hilton Head on vacation, but my visit yesterday will be my last. So many things had changed that I hardly recognized the place. With no more table service, you line up at the counter to order. I ordered the quiche of the day which was bacon and tomato with cheddar cheese, or so I was told. My sister and I both ordered light roast regular coffee. The bill was $14.00 plus change. We finally got a wobbly, dirty table on the porch, and the busboy acted annoyed that we wanted to sit there. There were a couple of other tables, but since it was raining, one of us would have to have been drizzled on. We also tried to sit on a sofa on the porch, but not only were the cushions wet, they were also very dirty. When the food arrived, my quiche was burned on top and was not bacon and tomato, but a spinach quiche. The server brought the wrong coffee order, was annoyed when we told her so, and went back in. The second time she brought two "pour over" coffees which are somewhat more expensive than the regular we had ordered. Rather than light roast, the coffee was so strong and bitter, we neither one could drink it. If you want good food, good service, a clean environment, and delicious coffee, skip Corner Perk!

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Patrick Freitas

Let me preface by saying Im a coffee nerd. Im only satisfied when I can get perfectly extracted espressos and velvety milk cream marks on my typical macchiato order. Anyways, i was staying in Bluffton for a few days and was happy to find a non-Starbucks coffee establishment. Friendly staff. Place is cute. Waitresses are even more cute. One looks just like a young Eva Green. I was kinda smitten. But another gal, a mature blonde, wears the most bizarre make-up. Totally caked on. Unnecessary because looks like shed be attractive without the layers of ridiculous make-up. The coffee? Pretty good. But not outstanding. Ordered my usual macchiatos during my visits. Score them B or B+ for decent extraction but cream of the milk was a little over-foamed. Like I said...Im a coffee nerd with ridiculously high standards. On my last visit I ordered a slice of their chocolate cake. It was really tasty. My advice: definitely come here instead of a lousy Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts for coffee. Sit down. Enjoy the friendly staff. And enjoy the nice view from their cute corner location.

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Amanda Phagan

The Corner Perk has stirred up an incredible amount of memories, fun, and great local atmosphere just in the few years it has been in business. At the shop you will get to know Josh and Kali Cooke, two of the coolest Christian folks ever. :) You will also experience some great organic coffee and an "anything you want, you got it" sort of service atmosphere. I cant even recall how many times Ive been here to count down the new year, rock out to a local concert, end my busy evening with an amazing coffee drink, study for huge tests, or just meet up with a bunch of friends. Its the definition of a warm and satisfactory local coffee shop; from the "chill" music playing in the background to the exclusive, always-changing Bluffton/Hilton Head based decor. I still prefer Joshs coffee making skills over the other employees, but thats something I can live with! I absolutely recommend this place to anyone in need of a great local cup of coffee.

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