1 /5 Selene Selene: Dear Calico Cupboard Management,
I am writing as a longtime and loyal customer of The Calico Cupboard. Over the years, I have visited all three locations and have consistently had wonderful experiences at both the Anacortes and La Conner restaurants. Because of that history, I felt confident recommending Calico Cupboard to my family and fiancé.
Yesterday, I visited the Mt. Vernon location for the first time in roughly ten years to pick up treats for my family, and unfortunately the experience was deeply disappointing.
The restaurant felt chaotic, understaffed, and poorly organized. I have over 20 years of experience in the restaurant and service industry, and it was very apparent that the staff was overwhelmed, disengaged, and not working as a team. Servers appeared lost, customers were visibly frustrated, and there was little sense of leadership or coordination on the floor. The overall atmosphere reflected exhaustion and low morale rather than pride in the business.
We purchased two cinnamon rolls, two snickerdoodles, and one gingerbread man, for a total of approximately $40. The employee who assisted us was short and unpleasant in tone, and our items were packaged with little care. This was especially frustrating as I had spoken very highly of Calico Cupboard beforehand—my fiancé left with a very poor impression.
When we arrived home, the disappointment continued. The cinnamon rolls were dry, crumbly, and tasted stale, with frosting that was crusted over. Overall, the baked goods felt old and far below the quality I have always associated with your bakery. This is in stark contrast to the La Conner location, where staff consistently take extra care with guests and with packaging items meant to be taken home.
Given the service, presentation, and quality of the food, I am requesting a full refund for this purchase.
I am not writing to bash your business. I am writing because Calico Cupboard has been a favorite of mine for years, and it was genuinely upsetting to see one location fall so far below the standard set by the others. Mt. Vernon would benefit greatly from stronger leadership, clearer teamwork expectations, and staff who genuinely care about representing your business and your vision.
I hope this feedback reaches an owner or decision-maker who can address these concerns and help bring the Mt. Vernon location back to the level of excellence your brand is known for.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to your response.
Update:
Management did respond via email, however the response showed no accountability. My experience was dismissed entirely because the manager (*Norvel) stated he did not personally observe any issues that day. The quality concerns and service breakdown I described were denied. A $20 gift card was offered... however, my concern was never compensation, but brand standards and consistency. Unfortunately, the lack of openness to feedback was as disappointing as the original visit.
