Jersey Shore Magazine

J e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 8 12 The human connection is key to the Rook Coffee experience, and Gruber explained that, as competitors fight to stay on top of state-of-the-art technology, Rook believes in focusing instead on that human connection. "We don't have WiFi, drive-thrus, or curbside pickup. Coming into the store is part of the coffee drinking experience that Rook prides itself on," Gruber said. Rook's baristas are hand-picked and meticulously trained in both hands-on brewing/coffee preparation and in the art of positive interaction that results in a foundation and con- sistency that cannot be found else- where, according to Gruber. Baristas focus on making the perfect cup of coffee for the customer while simul- taneously making the perfect interac- tion with the customer. "Even if you don't go to Rook every day, we want you to remember that one time you go. We want you to remember the conversation and the interaction you had with our baristas while at Rook," Gruber said. Rook's menu is as simple as it rook coffee roasters locations Colts Neck: Orchards Plaza, 340 Route 34, Colts Neck. Store: (732) 637-8936; Text to Order: (732) 992-6374. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Freehold: Colonial Plaza, 331 West Main Street, Freehold. Store: (732) 252-5838; Text to Order: (732) 479-8793. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Holmdel: Holmdel Towne Center, 2101 Highway 35, Holmdel. Store: (732) 856-9656; Text to Order: (732) 592-1665. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Little Silver: Little Silver Train Station, 705 Branch Avenue, Little Silver. Store: (732) 383-5681; Text to Order: (732) 587-6659. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Long Branch: 700 Joline Avenue, Long Branch. Store: (732) 229-7665; Text to Order: (732) 719-4074. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Manalapan: 357 Highway 9 South, Manalapan. Store: (732) 490-5845; Text to Order: (732) 812-3504. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monmouth Medical Center: 300 2nd Avenue, Long Branch. Store: (732) 795-3044; Text to Order: (732) 385-3328. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Sat. - Sun.: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM "Big" Oakhurst: Towne Center, 2005 Route 35, Oakhurst. Store: (732) 508-9370; Text to Order: (732) 479-1122. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM "Little" Oakhurst: 60r Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. Store: (732) 483- 4402. No Text to Order. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Point Pleasant: Bridge Plaza, 3301 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant. Estimated Opening: end of Fall 2018. Phone and hours t.b.a. Red Bank: 10 White Street, Red Bank. Store: (732) 268-8574; Text to Order: (732) 640-5111. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wall Township: Olde Tudor Village, 1924 Highway 35, Wall Township. Store: (848) 469-8340; Text to Order: (732) 200-4363. Hours: daily 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM gets—with only hot coffee and cold brews year-round, and specialty/ seasonal roasts available for limited amounts of time. "The fan favorites over the years have been Pumpkin Style Cold Brew and Cinnamon Vanilla Style Cold Brew." Gruber said. "Those were solely announced on social media and sold out very quickly." In 2012, around the time that the Little Silver location opened near the train station, and with customer interaction at the forefront, Rook debuted a "Text to Order" option so that customers who had to catch the train would receive their order as quickly as possible. The option is still popular today. Customers can con- veniently text in their order then pay for it at pick-up. Gruber said that for the bigger stores like Wall, Freehold, and "Big" Oakhurst, the average time for a text order to be filled is fifteen minutes, while at the other locations the time is typically ten minutes. "We wouldn't be where we are today without social media and word of mouth," said Gruber. "It's what BEACHCOMBER HOOKED ON ROOK, continued from page 11 "We don't have WiFi, drive-thrus, or curbside pickup. Coming into the store is part of the coffee drinking experience that Rook prides itself on," says Communications Manager, Amanda Gruber. Rook Coffee

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