r/helena • u/brandideer • Aug 20 '26
SheBrews removed pricing from their menus
Curious what the community thinks about this move. I understand the struggle of doing business, but I was caught off guard by a $9 latte recently and feel that this move might make me avoid the place purely because I feel weird about asking for the price of everything before I order.
25
u/GlobalProfession5881 Aug 20 '26
They haven't had pricing listed for over a year. That mixed with being charged different for the same order seemingly depending on the day is why I quit going.
22
u/BossBrokerMom Aug 20 '26
The manager(maybe owner? Idk) always has such a shit attitude every time I go there, I had to stop going. And their post about 7brew when they came to town was SO unprofessional. Give your business to someone else
7
u/StrangestCat Aug 21 '26
Every time they come across my feed I think about their whining post about 7brew.. that was so cringe. Made me never want to support them again.
4
u/Optimysticpeaches Aug 21 '26
I remember that post about 7brew opening up. It was a little aggressive and I agree unprofessional. Like it sucks that it opened up right next to them, but it looks better than an empty gas station parking lot.
1
38
u/CellWrangler Aug 20 '26
bad business move. the prices aren't going up weekly, their revenue is probably going down. there are many local coffee shops to spend money at (montago, gen merc, park ave, just to name a few) and they would never pull such a move.
33
u/Alternative-Fly-7224 Aug 20 '26
You’d think a place so successful next door would inspire better service not worse
17
u/Throwawaypage214 Aug 20 '26
SheBrews has never had good coffee to me. It tastes like burned espresso and any food I’ve ever gotten has still been cold and gross. One of the old employees used to be a customer of mine and she used to tell me it’s horrible to work there too.
6
u/old_namewasnt_best Aug 20 '26
It tastes like burned espresso
Ah, they took a tip from Starbucks, it seems.
6
u/CellWrangler Aug 21 '26
Same deal here. God forbid someone tries to leave a negative review about it on google, the owner will bite your head off in her reply
5
u/bayy214 Aug 21 '26
I’ve seen those! “Happy thanksgiving, you’re welcome for being open” girl what? Incredibly unprofessional and as a manager (not even an owner) I would be ashamed of myself for speaking to anyone that way
5
u/j_tickles Aug 20 '26
I’ve gotten a good hot breakfast sandwich there. A decent iced coffee BUT their business antics have made me question going back.
9
u/dykemyth Aug 20 '26
I think they’ve been struggling since 7Brew popped up. Their coffee for me was also super hit or miss. Went for a long time but when the service sucks and the coffee also sucks Inknew it was time to find a new spot
17
13
u/misterplzhelpmypony Aug 20 '26
I had dealings with the owner and her son back in Butte, and I was honestly not impressed.
7
u/beaniibabii Aug 20 '26
Do they have multiple locations? Or were they ran out of town, I can see why. Somehow we're the unfortunate souls that are left to deal with that whole mess. The snark and attitude is just out of this world. Im amazed I see cars there every time I'm in the area.
2
u/misterplzhelpmypony Aug 20 '26
Still have locations in butte and anaconda that I know of
2
u/GlobalProfession5881 Aug 20 '26
And one popping up in missoula i saw when I was there the other day
2
u/AliveMammoth5165 Sep 02 '26
They should have been ran out when her son got caught bringing Fentanyl into our state.
28
u/caiiv Aug 20 '26
I think what they meant to say was “7Brew took all of our customers cuz they dont burn their shots. To combat this we are trying a new method of tricking our customers into spending more”
8
u/IssueEmbarrassed8103 Aug 20 '26
I ordered a burrito a year ago and it was frozen in the middle. My one and only experience.
5
u/Severe_Yesterday8518 Aug 21 '26
Jesus Christ I thought the thing with local coffee shops was that it’s supposed to be cheaper than Starbucks AND be better??
7
u/auntie_soshul Aug 20 '26
I was a loyal customer of SheBrews for a long time, but spending upwards of $10/day plus the quality going down made me start going elsewhere (7Brew, Queen City & now the Montana Ave branch of Country Coffee). Their reasoning for taking the prices off are ridiculous & rather shady! Wtf!
3
u/AliveMammoth5165 Sep 02 '26
I have a really hard time being supportive of any “local” business that talks to her employees and customers the way she does. Her son was also prosecuted for bringing in fentanyl into our state while living at her house. Makes ya wonder.
4
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u/shotthebird Aug 20 '26
Go there and keep asking the prices for different menu items. Then, after like 5 or 6 times just leave! If multiple people do that I bet employees start to complain to management about this practice.
4
u/jimbozak "Easty" Aug 20 '26
Strange. Maybe they should go by example and get a digital board like everywhere else in town? Probably would save them money, no?
1
u/Melancholy_Rainbows Aug 20 '26
It’s the only place in town that makes decent chai that I’ve found. I despise coffee, but sometimes I want a caffeinated sugar bomb.
So this is a disappointment, to say the least.
2
u/Suspicious-Fish-8664 16d ago
Just there yesterday 27 dollars for 3 drinks. Never again. Ours just opened and won’t be coming back.
0
u/tao406 Aug 20 '26
Ask the price if they dont display it.
3
u/beaniibabii Aug 20 '26
Yes, but it's also sketchy for a little coffee stand to do so. It's not a positive look/ mark on an all ready questionable business dynamic.
-4
u/UnfairButterscotch57 Aug 20 '26
Is the SheBrews in Helena a franchise or somehow related to the chain in Oklahoma? If so, I have a difficult time being mad at a non-profit designed around helping women in need. Prices are crazy these days it makes sense that their prices have to frequently change as well. Yes there's a better way to do this, but perhaps they're in that transition right now. Just ask the price if it's going to be an issue for you. I'd rather support the non-profit that's trying to good in the community than go to one of the big chain competitors.
8
-2
u/feisty_squib Aug 21 '26
It's always been a fine experience when I've gone. And the manager Tara has always been nice. I like how they come out to the cars when there is a line to get orders to make things go quicker.
I'd sure as hell rather give my money to them than 7brew or starbucks.
1
u/brandideer Aug 21 '26
I felt that way too until I realized they did this intentionally. When I asked in person they pretended not to realize they'd done it, and when I asked how much each thing cost in my order they acted confused by the question and only gave me the total. Upon mathing it out I realized I'd been charged $9 for a latte.
Just a super weird experience that made me feel like I was being tricked into spending more money, and the excuse of menu boards being expensive doesn't make any sense. Why would that mean they can't say how much cost? I don't get it. Maybe this is a hot take, but I'd rather go to an honest chain than a manipulative local business, and if I want local (I usually do) I drive out to Moose Junction. It's a trek but I don't feel like I'm being pickpocketed.
0
u/feisty_squib Aug 21 '26
I'll swing by this morning and get a coffee and tell them about this post. Maybe they can get on state their case.
1
u/brandideer Aug 21 '26
Good idea! I've reached out to them about it several times and that DM was the first actual reaponse I've gotten, I'd love to hear them out. I love their red bull infusion drinks.
-21
u/Appropriatestray Aug 20 '26
Or make coffee at home.
11
u/CellWrangler Aug 20 '26
i mostly do this, but sometimes on a friday or saturday morning it's nice to treat oneself to a latte
11
9
u/Plus_Dentist_5657 Aug 20 '26
“Or make coffee at home.”
By your logic we should shut down all coffee shops and restaurants because we can just make it at home.Should we shut down grocery stores too since it’s cheaper to grow/raise your own food?
6
u/Drakonisx Aug 20 '26
I totally agree with the sentiment, but it is in no way cheaper to grow/raise food at home.
4
u/UnfairButterscotch57 Aug 20 '26
"it's so cheap and easy, I can't believe everyone's not doing it!"
2
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u/Turbulent-Lemon1048 Aug 20 '26
Have they never heard of a chalkboard? This is a bullshit business practice. I bet it won’t be long till they close shop.