Sips

I’ve only ever been to Sips twice since it opened… And I don’t remember a time before Sips. Now, let’s get started on the review. The coffee is hands down the worst coffee I have ever had in my life. And the blended drinks, are decent, that’s if they aren’t out of the flavoring you chose. They were out of vanilla one time and tried to pass banana flavor off as vanilla to me. Like really??? And that’s the last time I went there. I’ve never had the food from there, but if it’s anything like the coffee, I’ll pass. Another review I’ve read said that «anytime you go into sips, it seems like you are inconveniencing the staff» and this is the truest thing I’ve ever read. They don’t ever seem enthused that they have to do their job and serve coffee to the patrons. The environment is decent, a nice place to chill, that’s if you were allowed to have drinks and food in the sofa area.
Now it’s been at least 6 years since I’ve last set foot into Sips so I can’t speak for what it is today, but I’m sure little has changed. Also you have to go down some sketchy hallway to get to the restroom, and that’s not fun.

I don’t really know how Sips stays in business…
The service is usually anywhere from clueless to just plain rude, and sloooooooooow as all get out.
If the food and drinks were great (or even good really) I may be able to look past the abysmal service, but that’s not the case. I’m not even a coffee snob and I can’t handle their coffee. Brewed coffee from a thermos is either too weak or bitter, and their dessert drinks just taste like syrup – no coffee flavor whatsoever. Food can be hit or miss (if the staff gets your order right anyway – literally half of the time I get the wrong order).
The atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired-​you know how TGI Fridays has a bunch of junk tacked up all over their walls? Multiply it by at least two and specify the crap to Mount Vernon and you get an idea of what it’s like inside Sips. Like others have mentioned, it always seems like you’re inconveniencing the staff when you’re there-​definitely not an inviting space.
I wish I could like Sips. The space has the potential to be an awesome local coffee shop, but it fails in almost every aspect of its existence.

Pretentious.
Not sure how they remain open. I have not returned in some time as every time I went, it was a letdown. Perhaps things have changed?
My experiences: I wanted to like the place. Only cute coffee shop in Mt. Vernon. Firstly, the hours are just plain silly. Secondly, Coffee tasted bad, food tasted bad, and «desert» drinks tasted bad. Each time that I gave Sips a try, I was annoyed by the money wasted on bad quality.
Head to The Deli in Kenyon. Get a cup of Highlander Grogg. Heck — head to Kroger and go to Starbucks.

Does Sips offer the worst coffee I’ve ever had? No. But, it is close.
If you do not like the flavor of coffee, then this is the place for you to enjoy a latte– there is virtually NO coffee flavor in the coffee drinks. In fact, there is virtually no flavor at all. I am not sure if it is simply the failure to put in enough espresso shots, the stale coffee, improper brewing, or the lack of darkness of the roast, but it just isn’t there.
If you drink coffee because you actually LIKE the way it tastes, as I do, then you will be better off making it at home.
The owner seems to be ABSOLUTELY CLUELESS about coffee, as indicated by his ridiculous answers to questions/​complaints. And, as others have said, the staff are not always very friendly.
I want so badly to like Sips, but I just cannot. The atmosphere is nice, but the product is bad and I do not enjoy being talked down to by an owner who has no idea what he is doing.

Nothing to write home about. As others have said, never feel my business is appreciated. Feel like I’m bothering them. Beans are old tasting. You have to get your own coffee from a thermos. Food is blah. I keep going back now and again hoping for change… The more I visit other specialty coffee shops in other areas, the more I’m disappointed in this one.

I give this 2 stars for existing.
It ends there.

First of all that fucking rug. God damn. Once you make it past the rug you will find «the best damn balls». I ordered a coffee and a breakfast burrito and it took at least 15 minutes to receive (Not good if you’re in a hurry). The burrito was real big consisted of salsa that tasted like ketchup, microwaved bacon, and some big fluffy eggs. The coffee was good, and the lady behind the counter was kind enough to brew me a fresh pot of the «nutty Frenchmen». Even though they did not have any half and half available (just milk) the coffee was still plenty enjoyable. Oh and There was plenty of awkward silence and bad art to enjoy while I waited for my food.

I’m a twentysomething that has lived in Mount Vernon for nearly 5 years. Sips was the potential hometown place that I wanted to fall in love with. Even in high school, I tried to imagine myself sitting in Sips for business meetings and group study groups. No matter where I go, I want a space to call my own. Unfortunately, Sips never gave itself a real chance. College students are immediately turned off by their hours (often closing before 8PM), the décor (which resembles a homestyle nursing home), and the coffee (more below). I wanted to love the owners and baristas, but every time I went in, I felt unwelcomed and under-​appreciated.
They serve a large selection of drip coffees, some of which are enjoyable, however I am not confident in the freshness of their coffee, as most of their beans sit in large glass containers for months at a time. The potential is there, but the process is not. Most of their drinks are syrup-​based and the taste of the espresso is masked by those sugars.
The feel is definitely small town. Their sign says «Coffee Deli Bakery Mood». Local art and open mics are cool, but don’t expect many people under the age of 50.
In the past, I was involved in coordinating college campus activities that we wanted to centralize in their café to support the community businesses (100 – 200 people would come each time) but it was always perceived that WE were getting a huge favor from them to have these concerts. It was never recognized that we would bring in over $ 500 in sales in 3 hours. There’s always been a distaste that I try to overcome, but still haven’t felt.
It has the potential, even with the poor atmosphere for a young person. BUT the personality definitely needs an adjustment.

This is a really cool place, and not what you would expect to find in downtown Mount Vernon. I love the feel and the selections. Everything is decent, but I wouldn’t say spectacular. I would still recommend it though.

With little to choose from in the Mt. Vernon area (aside from the Starbuck’s buried inside the Kroger) in the way of coffee purveyors, I’m oh so grateful that Sips has found success in it’s spot just off the town square.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say anything here is mind blowing — just a quiet comfortable spot with dependable coffee made by a friendly staff. When I head out to the country to visit my parents this is the only place I dare order a latte or anything of an espresso-​y nature.
If you dumped Sips in Columbus, I might feel differently about it. But in this sleepy little town full of convenience stores and fast food, it’s a haven.