A Clutch Coffee Run!
While out on our usual coffee run on the weekends, we had the good fortune to be one of the first few to try a new coffee shop in Greensboro, Clutch Coffee Bar. We later found out its part of a North Carolina chain of coffee bars. We had a great experience but let’s start at the beginning.
While driving down Battleground Ave craving just a little more caffeine to wake us up on this late Sunday morning drive, I spotted a sign for a coffee shop that looked interesting. After a quick discussion we agreed to make a stop and check it out. Three left turns and two rights we found ourselves in the parking lot (of what I am guessing what-was an old bank was drive-through) of Clutch Coffee Bar. While waiting for the car in front of us to order we discussed what we wanted to order and how interesting the name “Clutch” was (I have a friend that regularly uses that word). The white SUV in front of us moved forward and we followed…
We pulled up in and got a full view of the menu, I immediately spotted one of my favorite flavors (especially in coffee) S’mores! But before I could “officially decide” a girl wearing a mask came back out of the door and jogged over to us staring at the menu. She proceeded to inform us that their grand opening wasn’t till the 30th(which was next week) … But before completely dashing our hopes for some late morning coffee, she said that they were there training new staff and they would still take our order! We looked at each other in a bit of surprise and the girl passed us two menus to look over as she ran back inside. I decided to stick with my first instinct (Campfire/S’mores) and Kayla decided to go with the Avalanche, but before we could order the girl came back with two what looked like soft cookies, I had never heard of “Muffin Tops” (Ignore the mental image) specifically banana nut. I initially tried to politely refuse, but she assured me it was okay to take them (and I’m glad I did they were quite good). She then proceeded to take our drink order and stepped back inside. We waited patiently behind the other waiting car discussing how we felt like we just won the coffee lottery!
A short while later the girl in the mask returned with our coffees in hand. She implored us to try them and if we didn’t like them, they would make them again. “No worries, I’m sure they are fine” I replied (and they were) turning and opening my wallet I asked how much we owed… She happily informed us they were on the house. I immediately replied that that’s not fair as they had done work and should be paid. She said not to worried as they were making test drinks already and that the drinks were indeed free. She also reminded us that they are opening on January 30th and that we should come back. After thanking her again I rolled up the window and took off my mask, displaying my shocked and smiling face…. Now we really felt like we had won the coffee lottery!
As we winded through some of the Greensboro backroads and neighborhoods admiring the homes and pointing out interesting architecture sipping on our coffee. We came to the conclusion we had found another winner and added it to the list of coffee shops we would go back to. Both of our Drinks were amazing, mine had a strong taste of Graham cracker and a hint of cinnamon, chocolate, and a little marshmallow. Kayla’s Coffee had a thicker and richer white chocolate taste with a little bit of vanilla cream. Both of us were quite satisfied with the drinks we received and will definitely be going back to try others.
As a side note I was really impressed at the customer service we received, they were well within their rights to tell us that they weren’t open and just pointed to the large banner that said, “Grand Opening January 30th, 2021” … Instead, they went out of their way to earn a future customer, and that’s why I’m writing this blog post!
-Ben & Kayla
