Toxic, Discriminatory, and Exploitative -- Stay Away I worked here for two years, and it was by far the most toxic, discriminatory, and unprofessional workplace I've ever experienced in nearly a decade in the coffee industry. I was fired without cause -- the real reason? I was a gay man working under two ultra-conservative general managers in a company where men are rarely hired unless they're considered a "special exception," as I was told. The management culture is a clique -- tight-knit, cult-like, and built on favoritism. I saw the stand managers' group chat titled "Gold Diggers," which tells you exactly where their heads are. They gossip about employees, bully baristas under the guise of "coaching," and pit women against each other to maintain control. One of my coworkers was fired over a false theft accusation simply because she didn't wear makeup or have a "cheerleader attitude." That's the standard here. We were constantly overworked, sent to other locations with no compensation, denied even basic 10-minute breaks, and never received lunch breaks. After two years of covering shifts, taking on extra responsibilities, and staying loyal to this company, I was made to work a full closing shift -- including handling their EPD product order -- only to be fired immediately after. My work ethic was exploited right up to the moment they threw me out. The general managers protect each other and ignore real problems. They pressure baristas to upsell so they can pad their own bonuses, all while pretending the business is built on "community." It's not. It's built on control, exploitation, and image. This is a workplace stuck in the past -- discriminatory, toxic, and shockingly out of touch for a company that's been open over 25 years. I'm grateful to be out. No one deserves the kind of treatment I endured here. To Management, After two years of dedication, I left your company not just disappointed -- but deeply disturbed by the culture you've allowed and enabled. I wasn't just let go without reason; I was discarded after being used, overworked, and never once given the respect or recognition I had earned. You foster a toxic, discriminatory environment -- one where cliques run the show, gossip is normalized, and real issues are buried to protect each other's reputations. Your lack of professionalism and empathy was evident every time you mocked employees, pit them against each other, or made hiring and firing decisions based on personal biases instead of actual merit. I was called a "special exception" as a gay man -- a comment that was both dehumanizing and revealing. You exploited my work ethic, had me close your stand and complete your inventory order, only to fire me immediately after. That wasn't just unprofessional -- it was calculated and cruel. But the worst part? You've been running this business for over 25 years, and still can't figure out how to treat people with basic human dignity. You ignore labor laws, deny breaks, withhold appreciation, and manipulate your staff for profit. What kept me going were the customers I built relationships with and the few real coworkers who, like me, were simply trying to survive under your thumb. They deserved better -- we all did. I hope, one day, you reflect on the damage you've done to the people who gave you their time, energy, and loyalty. Until then, I'll be using my voice to speak the truth about what working under your leadership really meant. read more

I usually have good experiences here, but I noticed they have a new barista (middle aged woman with curly hair) who is very rude. When my drink was made wrong and I was rung up improperly she became argumentative about it. Neither of the two were a big deal, I just don't appreciate a service worker being rude to me before 6 AM. I ended up throwing the drink that was made wrong away, so the visit was ultimately a waste of both my time and money. I definitely will be avoiding this location for a while until this person either receives more training or until they have a new early morning staff. read more

$9 coffee today. It's $6 yesterday. NO signs, NO warnings. "Oh yea, our prices went up today." After sitting in line for 20 minutes just to sit at the window for another 10 for your cashier to ask 3 times what the hell I ordered so I could pay. Absolutely NOT. 13 year customer here - never again. I get that prices need to increase, I understand as a small business you have to pay employees. But I can't. Not anymore. I've been patient because I LOVED this place and the Tumwater location. But $9 for a coffee?? Again, NO signs/warnings. Nope. read more

Haven't even gotten my food or drink yet but the service was so good. At most places when I order food, the girls become a little meaner. We kept adding things on, we felt so bad but both girls were so nice even though they had a really long line. They were patient and addressed customers immediately. 100% best service I've received in SO long. Lena and Bailey are awesome and helped us today. read more

Martin Way Avenue Espresso - Guava passionfruit redbull with Lemonade Pizza burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lacey, Washington

Nice staff! After she handed me my capp, she even asked if I liked it. Love that level of service. My son recommends the Red Bull Italian Soda with cream. read more

Martin Way Avenue Espresso - a person holding a cup of coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lacey, Washington

I have been to this stand multiple times and they have always been pretty slow but nothing like today. I pull in behind a car that just got to the window around 7:34isn and I waited a good 15 minutes before the three cars behind me left and as did I. Avenue has unfortunately gone very down hill with their service. I understand that stuff happens but this was bizarre. Can't taste the food if i'm sitting in line waiting. read more

This is the best coffee stand I've found in the area. Before I found them I was going to Dutch Bros, their drinks were decent the prices weren't great but it was popular and everyone went there. Then I went to Avenue Espresso one day when I was in a rush and didn't have time to go to Dutch Bros. I kid you not their red bull drinks are 1000x better than Dutch Bros and I tell everyone if they want one to come here. Today I went here before work the person who helped me was super nice as always, I didn't really know what I wanted so she recommended the peppermint bark mocha which is amazing and will definitely be getting again! I hands down recommended this place to everyone. I've found my coffee home! Bonus you don't have to wait 30mins for a drink here! read more

Martin Way Avenue Espresso - Peppermint Bark Mocha! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lacey, Washington

Cheap coffee, and the best coffee around. No other place comes close. Their caramel latte and frappes are to die for.

The baristas here do a great job every time I stop by. I occasionally stop in to pick a coffee up and on special occasions I get coffee for the whole office. I've been pretty consistently happy with the beverages they've made me here and whenever I bring them to the ladies they always comment that their order was made just perfect. On these large order days I really appreciate the efficiency to get 15 drinks out to me on a busy morning. I always feel bad if a line starts to form behind me but the baristas are always so pleasant and don't make me feel bad for the early morning hustle I've added to their lives. I feel like the drinks are prepared well, the customer service is great, and the price is reasonable for coffee in Olympia area. I always keep my coffee card nearby and those punches really add up and a free coffee is always a nice treat. read more

The girl who is working this morning on 4/3 is always rude as hell to me. Every time I come by, no matter what time it is. I come here almost every day and she is so rude to me. She made my white chocolate mocha blended and it's super super watery and doesn't taste like anything literally spilling all over me. She also served and got an older gentleman's drink out while I waited longer then him and ordered my drink before him. I am not coming back. I don't like her service. She's very rude and not friendly and her drinks always taste bad. I love Avenue. I've been coming here for years now but I will not be back at this one. I'll find another stand that takes their time and has the right customer service. I was a barista for 2 years, I get the stress but man. Every time I go in there? Nah. I'm good. read more

Avenue is my go to coffee place. #1 I love that they use Batdorf and Bronson coffee. The ladies are always nice and my drinks are always consistent. I've been to all of their locations and it's consistent no matter where I go. read more

We come here all the time! Anything you ask it will come out PERFECT! I find it hard to go to other places because this place has got me hooked read more

If I could give 0 stars I would she SAT and talked to the person she was making coffee for didn't even acknowledge anyone else was there read more

Martin Way Avenue Espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lacey, Washington

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For like the past week I've been going here everyday, and I LOVE IT! The baristas are great, the coffee is delicious, and the prices are perfect! Thanks for being so close to my bfs work lol! read more

I usually love Avenue Espresso but will never go back due to one barista that they seem to have working every shift. Never have I had my drink made incorrectly multiple times and been treated so horribly just for asking for my correct one. If Im spending $5 on a redbull, it should be correct... and its a redbull. How hard is that really? read more

They always make my drinks perfect so as a fellow barista I appreciate how fast pace and genuinely friendly they are. They aren't that super annoying in your face nice like Dutch Bros and other joints always are. The blonde girl that works here is super sweet too. Though I don't stray far from my coffee joint, this is the place I go to on my days off. Always delicious! read more

I have been here twice, the first time the girl was in a rush and not friendly and couldn't make a white coffee drink to save her life. I wanted to try again just incase it was her off day, but omg it was so nastythe 2nd time too, like water with a very mild nutty flavor and half full of foam!! A white coffee white chocolate is not a complicated drink!! Horrid coffee makers, will never return. Wish I could give 0 stars... read more

Great service, great coffee, decent priced. I've been happy with all their locations I have been to all of them multiple times always left happy with great Java!!!!! read more