V J Coffee & Tea

Does anyone know where VJ’s get their coffee from? Now that they are closed, I am trying to find the same French Roast coffee beans that they sold

I was saddened to learn that they’ve retired this business. Newly returned to STL area, and I needed something to call my own. I loved the service, and the merchandise. They were patient with me in explaining tea blending and coffee blending. I loved the teas. They were old-​fashioned with no website, but I truly loved the shoppe. Blessings to the family owners. And thank you.

Absolutely Rude and disrespectful management!!!
This location is part of a larger Dierburgs Grocery Store and I recently utilized this entrance to cut through to Dierburgs since it was my closest entrance and it was raining heavily.
The female Manger/​owner (not sure) stopped me and said «Do I need to walk you outside and show you the Dierburgs entrance because you need to learn some common courtesy»
This is not how you treat a past customer, much less a human being… Spend your time and money elsewhere.

I do not know how this place stays in business. It has the worst and most expensive coffee I have ever tasted. And to top it all off, the rudest «customer service» person I have ever dealt with. I have traveled ¾ of the way around this planet and I have never had such an awful experience. I paid $ 4.00 for a small coffee. It was so bitter that no amount of cream or sugar (I usually drink it black) could help. The coffee gave me heartburn for sometime afterwards. Yet another sign of it’s poor quality.
I like to support small, local businesses. I remember trying this place shortly after it opened in this location and that I wasn’t pleased. I really needed some energy to finish my errands, so I thought I’d give it another try. I think this is the very first negative review I have ever written. This experience left me so upset that 4 weeks later I’ve decided that I really had to write a review. Half a block away is Pastries of Denmark. They sell Breve Coffee and it is delicious and considerably less expensive than VJ’s (and it won’t give you heartburn).
I only mention another place to get coffee because when I politely asked a question (before I drank the coffee; hence, it couldn’t have been a complaint), I was told that if I wasn’t happy there was a Starbucks down the street. Nothing against Starbucks, but it is about one mile away and in the opposite direction of where I needed to go. If only the counter person had mentioned Pastries of Denmark I would have gone there.

I’d have to agree with all the reviews. I’ve been going here for over 8 years starting with the location near 141 and they do have good quality tea, but the owners are a special kind of breed. The husband seems ok the few times I’ve talked to him but the old lady is super opinionated and rude. Just go in and buy your tea and don’t stop to chat and you’ll be fine.

Walked into browse after completing my Dierberg’s shopping… the woman behind the counter was so rude and snotty… so I walked right out.

Great coffee, friendly folks. My family ships me their coffee across the country, I only wish I could order it online!

I walked to this place after shopping at Dierberg’s and purchased a ½ pound of French roast coffee (close to $ 8). The husband and wife who owns this place and are here six days a week, open to close and they are very friendly and social.
I brewed the coffee when I got home and it was delicious. After reading other peoples reviews I am not sure what they expect from a small mom-​and-​pop coffee shop that is inside of a grocery store.
I don’t shop at Starbucks because I think they sell shitty coffee and it has become a social standard for others who want to «fit in».
My experience here was exceptional and could not have asked for anything more. I think some people are being prejudice because this place is ran by an older couple and not by some cute hot chick. I would definitely go back here and buy more coffee, if that is all you want you will be happy with your purchase.
Forget about all these reviews and try them on for yourself.

For tea drinkers this is one of too few quality loose leaf suppliers in STL. Unfortunately, while purchasing tea you will have to listen to the owner tell you how wonderful she & her teas are — no need to respond, she,‘ll tell you what you think. Do not ask for details about the teas or for guidance, she can’t or won’t provide any helpful info. Personally, I have been happy with her English & Irish Breakfast Black teas. They hold up well to milk & sugar proving a smooth punch to get the day off right. I’ve enjoyed the black plum as well. Still have not had the inner fortitude to purchase any of the greens, so more to this review to come.

The coffee is delicious. Each cup is ground and brewed just for you if you’d like a flavor other than the favors of the day. They sell beans too. So many flavor choices. I like pumpkin spice and blueberry best. The blueberry tastes like pie. The owners are very knowledgeable but also very no nonsense. I find that refreshing. I go there frequently now and they remember how I like my coffee and greet me like an old friend. I look forward to each visit.

You should go here if you want to be unappreciated for your business and if you’re lucky, you can be insulted by the owners. God forbid you should ask why they have a no cell phone sign (I guess this isn’t going to be your wifi connected coffee bar). Funny that for a place with only 5 now 6 reviews, at least half of them experienced the crotchety behavior of the owner. And yes, I agree, my hot chocolate was easily surpassed by the 7 – 11 machine. Oh and the malted milk balls suck too.

Tremendously mediocre coffee served by really rude people (I’m assuming they’re the owners). I went once and had a bad experience, which isn’t fair for one star, but my mom went separately and had very similar service. Just don’t bother. Sadly, there are no great local coffee shops nearby but a comparable place for coffee is in the shopping center to the west – Pastries of Denmark. There’s also a Starbucks east on Olive.

The customer service is horrible. Paid $ 5 for a drink that tasted like crap and they wouldn’t make me a new one or offer me a refund. The lady just told me to add sugar – which didn’t help whatsoever. I suggest going to Ray’s Donuts. The customer service is great and the donuts/​drinks are fantastic.

I was really glad that I read the reviews after my visit — otherwise I think I would have been prejudiced. First, the coffee was great. I ordered an iced americano which I’ve heard can be tricky. I know nothing about making them but it was really good.
As far as everything else though — weird. You know when you’re talking to someone and something happens where you kind of think to yourself «are they being shitty?» So, that happened, and then it happened again. I walked out pretty certain that the woman who helped me was socially inept.
I don’t know the management model of the place but she was there with an older gentleman she called «dad». She did not have a wedding ring on so she’s not the wife part of the husband and wife team that’s been noted as owning this place for 30 years. Besides that, the grocery store this coffee shop is in hasn’t been there for 30 years so I’m not sure what the history of this place is.
I do know though that the $ 4 I spent was worth witnessing complete social awkwardness — once. I don’t need to go back but if you’re somewhat of a masochist, I can see how you might be excited about going more than once.

VJ Coffee and Tea have been my go to place for tea and coffee since we stumbled upon their shop nearly 15 years (and three locations) ago. The owners are extremely knowledgable and have the best selection.

I love coffee. I drink over 6 cups a day and love everything about it. My favorites are Kona and Blue Mountain. I have even ordered Kona directly from Hawaii. My family and I live in Louisville, KY. For Christmas this year my mother-​in-​law went to V J Coffee and Tea and got me a pound of their 100% Kona. She is not a coffee drinker but knows how much I enjoy great coffee. She lives in St. Louis and had heard great things about the store.
This morning I went to make my first pot. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. The beans were dry. When I took my first sip I could taste the bitterness. I called V J and spoke with the wife. I introduced myself and told her my mother in law had purchased the Kona for me.
When I told her I thought the coffee tasted bitter she started to yell at me. She said that they have been in business for over 30 years and have never sold bitter coffee. She then said there are no refunds. I calmly explained that the beans were dry. She said my mother in law should have told them she was giving it as a Christmas gift and they would have told her to refrigerate it. She then asked where I lived because my phone number was a 502 area code. I told her I lived in Louisville and she handed the phone to her husband. He got on the phone, told me I must be joking, and hung up on me. I called back and they hung up again.
The customer service was so appalling it was almost comical. My wife and I simply could not believe that type of behavior. My wife even joked that if we lived within an hour of their store she wouldn’t be surprised if I would have gotten in the car to go talk with them in person.
Let’s just say that the next time I am in St. Louis V J Coffee and Tea will not be on my list of spots to visit.

She didn’t even have the decency to help a woman that is 8 months pregnant forcing her to find coffee elsewhere.

This is the very best coffee in St. Louis. I have been a recent convert to VJ and have always had a pleasant experience there. This family of coffee gurus are warm and friendly, and their dark roast selection is amazing. I cannot understand the vitriol spewed by other reviewers. And for those of you who prefer Starbucks, be my guest. THAT is the coffee equivalent to McDonalds — merely okay when there were no other choices — but sub-​par in comparison to a really good brew.

The Soup Nazi is a princess after visiting this place. The other reviewer was right– CRABBY ladies. The only patrons for this place should be people that feel too good about themselves and need to be taken down a notch. In addition to that, I find it odd that a place selling cups of coffee isn’t open until 11am on the weekends. By 11, I’m thinking about lunch– not coffee. I actually love to patronize small businesses to help them out. But I will not be back to this particular place. I’ve actually been there a few times before today. They are too pricey for everyday, but once in a while, I would treat myself to a cup of coffee before starting my shopping at the Dierbergs where this shop is located. Not anymore. After today I can’t excuse the rudeness and stupidity. This village just found its idiot– behind the counter at VJ Coffee and Tea.

CJ Coffee & Tea has a good selection of fine coffees and teas as well as a number of nice coffee/​tea related gift items. Onecan also purchase coffee and tea drinks to take out or enjoy while grocery shopping at the Dierbergs which the shop is attached to. The store is operated by a husband and wife who have done this for over 30 years. If there is a down side to the business, it’s the wife half of the team who complains alot. Be sure you don’t wheel a shopping cart into the shop and don’t make the mistake of pulling out you cell phone, wifey won’t be happy if you do.