Kith & Kin

This cafe is a gem but having been a customer for almost a year I’ve noticed different staff every time I go. The exception is Josh ( I thought his name was was John ) and while I thought he was the owner I see he is the manager and the owners are Micah and Danielle Heller also owners of glamping outfitter Fancy Camps, not as I was told in a condescending rude way that the Park owned the cafe.
Here then is my beef. I am a victim of Starbucks or in general an avid Americano and before I needed to watch my sugar an avid macchiato drinker. I’ve never, never seen anyone order a macchiato without a flavor, nor have I ever noticed an americano ordered without milk or cream or half and half. To my surprise and in a condescending manner I was told I was wrong and that she drank her coffee black. I’m guessing the vast majority of coffee drinkers do not.
This is just my observation of over decades of loving coffee and seeking out mom and pop cafes when I can avoid Starbucks. When I questioned the additional 1$ for a Carmel Macchiato the woman who later told me she was hired to “oversee” ( what a great job title) came into the picture to basically tell me that my knowledge of a Macchiato and even an Americano was wrong. Rude? Condescending? Know it all? Customer service ?
When I said to her that the customer is always right she said the customer is not always right and she would tell the customer they were not right.
Having owned a restaurant for ten years the term “customer service “ is meant to be that the service person should let it go and agree or know how to defuse the situation. It is done with the real realization that bad customer service is repeated many many times to friends often 5 times more than good service.
When I mentioned something about the owner, John she smirked and said , John? What John? I said the owner. She replied with a laugh, “ there is no John the park owns this”. When I told her , we’ll you will never see me again she said, “ ok with me “.
I took my Americano with half and half and my Carmel Macchiato and left only to find no half and half in my Americano. No thank you from the staff who made the drinks and of course nothing from the “overseer”.

I have to say I’ve looked at the menu on the web page of Kith and Kin and no mention of any up charge or that one can add flavor to a coffee.

So, who is right or wrong? I’ll take the blame for going too often to Starbucks and seeing Macchiato always made with Carmel, thus thinking that is a true Macchiato.

Staffing is hard in our area and Kith and Kin is no exception. To give an example of poor staff about two months go I was on line waiting to be served at about 2:20. The customers getting their large order took ten minutes. Customers were in back of me ( a family of 5) and when the staff person got to me she said , “we are closed”.
The people behind me left and I told the staff person that I had been on line waiting and I expected to be served. Josh ( I thought his name was John) came from the back and made my Americano. I had asked for a 12 oz and he said let me give you a 16oz ( that’s customer service ) the girl at the register who told me they were closed looked over at the 16 oz Josh was making and charged me for a 16 oz ! I let it go.she took my money and both staff people were gone, it being a few minutes past 2:30. Kith and kin probably lost 20-30$ with the family that was on line but left when they were told they were closed. My experience did not stop me from coming back as I really like this cafe and Josh is great. I’ve had a few conversations with Josh and find him to be a real customer person.
Will I go back ? Not if I see the the “ overseer “.I don’t need a sourpuss , condescending know it all.

My favorite coffee shop! Super cute energy, and amazing coffee. Not to mention fantastic service. The barista Ray is very welcoming and always has great recommendations. Would leave 6 stars if I could!

Great coffee and a great venue for music

This is now the second time we've stayed at Top Sail Preserve, to which Kith and Kin is adjacent, and we're there everyday to get a delicious coffee concoction and maybe a baked good or two. Savi is amazing and I really enjoy talking with her. Abby runs the camp store which is part of the same building, and I absolutely adore her as well. We, too, have good conversations 😊. Whether you're staying at the park or just driving down 30A(they have a public lot that doesn't require entering the preserve), this is a beautiful, quaint, bright and cozy spot to get some java(or beer 😉) and do some work or read a book.

I really enjoyed it this was our first time I would definitely come back again It was really nice

Well I wish I would have read the reviews before giving this place my business. Seems to be the theme by many that the staff has a major attitude problem. Not only did she make me feel like I was a bother for ordering but when I asked about some of the drinks she promptly told me with a lot of attitude that she doesn’t get any of the drinks on that menu. To me that seems like some pretty bad business practices. I’m certainly not going to order a drink their own barista wouldn’t recommend. The coffee was great but this place is definitely overshadowed by some poor employees. The only reason this place is getting two stars is because of the quality of the coffee.

Amazing place all around- excellent coffee, delicious pastries and super nice people. Can’t ask for much more. Skip Starbucks and come here, you won’t regret it.

Stopped in for an iced cappuccino, service was excellent, drink was perfect

Just had one of the best iced lattes of my life at this very cute, super friendly coffee shop! So happy to discover it on 30A just down the street from our vacation rental. Relaxing front porch and great views of Topsail Preserve. Manager was super nice!

A little puzzled by the negative feedback of the staff...as a local on 30A for two years, I've had nothing but great service here! Savi is kind hearted and very calming in her demeanor. She knows her way around the menu and easily assists customers in making a selection. Don't miss the Blue Mountain baked goods served at Kith and Kin! My go to is the bacon, egg, and guda breakfast roll. And today, there is lovely chill vibe music playing in the background which is perfect for working virtually. Thanks Kith and Kin!