That is a real shame because it was a nice shop on McGaw Road off Snowden River. This also means that there are three empty bays in that shopping center after the California Tortilla and Atlanta Bread Company closed as well. (I called the number posted on the California Tortilla door, and they said that it isn't clear if that will reopen.)
The wholesale Orinoco company is still selling at My Organic Market and through the Web site. There are some comments below from other people with information. (Thanks for all the comments). If you are looking for another coffee chop in Columbia, Mad City Coffee is a good bet. Does anyone recommend anywhere else?
19 comments:
Sadly, the coffee shop has closed. You can buy their delicious beans at the Oakland Mills Road warehouse. Just call in your order, but give them a day's notice.
Here's a snippet of an email I got from them when I inquired:
"We were, of course, very sad to see the doors close at Orinoco Coffee House as well. Unfortunately that business was not under the same ownership. Orinoco Coffee & Tea provided Orinoco Coffee House with coffee and several other products, but in reality this company was just a supplier to that one. You would be able to purchase products through our website at any time."
Here's the contact info to order coffee. I was also advised that some cafes in the area sell their beans, but wasn't given any specific names.
Orinoco Coffee & Tea, Ltd.
Ph: 800.773.0750
http://www.cafeorinoco.com/
That center isn't the best business location.
Doesn't help all the delays for Wegmans.
Thanks for the comments.
I was going to say the same thing as BeerGuy-- I can't believe how that 3 businesses (Atlanta Bread Co, California Tortilla, and now Orincoco) have left empty places in that strip. It's so sad.
Its interesting the email says they are not under the same ownership because it appears they were. Its unfortunate they have closed because they did have the best coffee. As for the location three businesses have closed so it seems the management company isn't working with the businesses. Sad!
I heard that the owner is going through a divorce, so maybe that has something to do with it.
In any event, I'm sorry to see it close, it was a nice place to hang out.
California Tortilla is closed now, too? Can't say I'm surprised. I'm a big fan of theirs, but that location didn't measure up to the others. I went there several times, and there was trash on the floor, they were stingy with salsa, and didn't use the right ingredients (i.e., lettuce instead of cabbage in fish tacos).
Riverside is one of my favorite java hot spots
That e-mail from them is really strange. If you go to cafeorinoco.com , they clearly state to "Visit our retail store at 8878 McGaw Road".
Very sad that coffee shops are going out of business. There used to be a cozy coffee shop in the same plaza as Bangkok Delight with a good variety of bagels and sandwiches that closed last year.
A lot of local cafes, bakeries, delis brew their coffee. Not a huge fan, but I always like to support local businesses, so I consume it anyway. :)
Java Grande, Rt 40 and St. Johns in Ellicott City, is a very large space, and the owner is generous about letting the community use it.
If you're looking for nearby WiFi there are probably plenty of free options, but Victoria's comes to mind first, of all places.
Yeah - something is amiss regarding that email...
".. Unfortunately that business was not under the same ownership..."
Read this... http://www.examiner.com/a-437409~Coffee_shops_expand_in_region.html
Oh well.., sad none the less...
amiss alright...
http://www.examiner.com/a-437409~Coffee_shops_expand_in_region.html reads...
"Today, his company — Orinoco Coffee & Tea in Columbia — has 25 employees operating a 10,000-square-foot warehouse in the Howard County section of Laurel. And the company recently opened its first retail coffee store at 7190 Oakland Mills Road Suite 7 in Columbia." :P
Lakeside is nice and has free wifi, though honestly I'm usually stopping in for a bagel on a walk around the lake and don't get their actual coffee, so I can't speak to its quality. I'll have to look into Java Grande, which I haven't been to. My favorite not-that-local place for coffee is Bean Hollow in E.C.
Clearly the management of this company is as bad as their coffee and service. They claim the Orinoco Coffee house and Orinoco wholesale coffee & tea were seperate, but proudly state "visit our retail store". What's wrong with these people. It's no surprise they closed. The latino guy behind the counter, one of the owners I'm told, berated customers with hostility and anger, treated staff like dirt in front of customers, and had no problem taking my money for almost undrinkable coffee. I wanted to support a local business but after just a few visits I couldn't take it anymore. Starbucks is just around the corner and even though they are a big company they know how to make a cup of coffee and the service is excellent. It also looks like they wrote their own postings in an attempt at damage control but they are so inconsistent it makes them look even worse. The local coffee scene just improved with the closing of this joke of a coffee house.
I didn't even't know Orinoco Coffee shop was around and it's right near the the coffee shop that I go to everyday. I Guess I only go to a place I know and like. Riverside Coffee is a good place for a cup of coffee. They roast their own coffee right in the store.
Anyone know why these business are closing and all around the same timeframe? It can't all just be bad management.....
I have never figured out the reason why they closed in a bunch. Maybe there was some rent escalator in their lease or some other issue with the landlord.
Post a Comment