Emmaus Cambridge and Joan's Coffee Shop - Cambridge

Paul

I can only echo some of the previous reviews on here saying how much Emaeus has changed since my last visit. Previous visits have been a joyful experience in as much as people seemed welcoming and happy in their job/home. They seemed to appreciate the effort one had gone to to take items out to them. A lampshade with a tiny mark on it was refused. Ridiculous!! They don’t seem to want to put the fort in to get a wet rag and wipe it in order to make a sale. The cafe has gone downhill since my last visit. Luke warm breakfast items and mushrooms floating in grey water served up in an environment that has lost its cosy quirkiness in decor using donated items that made Joan’s coffee shop a bit of a weekend destination. The ambiance has gone. Artful jovial displays of donated that brought a smile to one’s face are non existent now. I could go on but I could not wait to leave Emaeus today and did not bother browsing.

To sum up it feels when you go there it’s like the donors should be grateful to Emaeus for them deigning to accept an item. I do understand that items should be of a quality for resale as it costs them to dispose of items that do not sell but the choosiness has gone too far in my opinion.

The British Heart Foundation are much easier to deal with and will be my preferred choice for item donation and my monetary donation to a homelessness charity will now be St Mungos who are amazing.

Come on Emaeus sort yourselves out!

Dear Emaeus,

I appreciate your response to my review on my recent visit although I cannot see your reply here.

I acknowledge that you are saddened to hear of my findings and acknowledge that you have given me your CEO contact details for contact which I will do.

However frankly I can’t see the point in discussing my findings and to hear excuses as to why my experience was so not what I was expecting having visited you on other occasions and have had no complaints to make.

I would rather you action the points I raised so that on my next visit it will be as enjoyable as previously rather than talk about them. .

As I said I will contact your CEO as you have requested in an effort ensure Emaeus can continue its worthwhile work in times of increased competitiveness for funding of similar enterprises.

Clare W.

Visited Emmaus Cambridge for the first time this week, what an amazing place! Great shopping for quirky bargains, but especially enjoyed the gardens and seeing the bee hives. Definitely worth a visit and supporting this awesome charity that provides a home, companionship and opportunities to people who have experienced homelessness ❤️

Jackie H.

This is not a criticism, merely an observation. Yesterday I visited Emmaus, I found it difficult to look through the ladies clothes due to the layout of the rails.
The rails so close together created a shadow, also there was not a lot of room to browse. I heard other ladies comment on this.
A lot of shop floor displays in charity shops for ladies tops, jumpers & skirts display by colour, blacks, blues, greens etc
This is easy on the eye for customers and gives an organised look. This takes very little time & effort to achieve such an attractive display, in doing so, this effect enhances sales which is a win win for customers and shop. 💕
As always wishing Emmaus Landbeach the good fortune it deserves ❤️

derek B.

not the place it used to be, if you live upstairs forget getting furniture,as you get attitude and swore at and mutterings of elf and safety they talk a good delivery but wont even attempt it,my prev sofa was really heavy and 6" shorter that i bought from them, but they managed to deliver that one. prices are getting a bit too expensive

Alexander D.

A lovely place with lots to look through, things made and renovated in the workshop, a cafe and gardens. It used to be better not so long ago - wonderful sorting through the tat for gems but the gems have now gone online so it is less fun to visit. Best of luck to them and their work if they make the most money this way, but it would improve things if visitors to the shop could find the good stuff on the ground as well as it being put up online.

Paul C.

Although apparently a charity supporting homelessness, this is not the place it used to be. It's just a business now. They only accept your stuff if it's new and instantly saleable and profitable (i was told as much). There is no upcycling going on here. What's more, there is no appreciation of the effort you made to save and transport your donations to their out-of-town location. All you get is rudeness as they tell you to take your stuff away. I am afraid that after being a customer of many years, we will not be coming again. There are other more deserving charities who are grateful for your donations and prepared to say thank you.

Tim L.

Friendly staff, delicious cakes (pictured), and a huge range of books, furniture, crockery, DVDs and kitchenware (also pictured). The meal deal (a sandwich/roll, crisps and drink for £3) is a bargain. Well worth a visit, and for a great cause too.

Karen W.

On a day out to Ely, my friend suggested we stopped at Emmaus on the way there. She had been before, but I hadn't. Wow!! What a place. Aswell as buying a few bargains, the whole place is a vibe! The accommodation is amazing for the ladies and gents that are currently living there, the lady who was working in the cafe (didn't get her name. I know she was half Dutch and half Scottish). She was absolutely lovely. She told me a little bit about herself, which I loved, so thankyou. Will definitely go back and take my husband next time!