Colectivo Coffee

Began buying coffee at Collective (ere Alterra) at Bayshore when they used to be in the atrium area nearly 20 years ago. Love the beans. I buy a pound every week and until several months ago had them grind it. For reason unknown to them the grind setting didn’t matter. Put it at 3, 2.5, 2, or 1.5 and it still came out so coarse that the coffee rain thru my Italian expresso machine like an open spigot. After 6 – 7 bags I finally gave up and bought a Quamar. Excellent decision. Will still buy the coffee but never have them grind it unless you want it coarse.
I will add that when I complained to customer service via email and did get a response and twice they mailed me coffee at no cost. I thought that was a nice gesture on their part. What’s not good is they didn’t fix the machine.

Okay so I do like Colectivo but this location is just not conducive to hanging out — I’ll give him 4 for the coffee but 2 for the ambience which averages to 3. Inside tables are way too small and close together and not really that many of them. Outside is fine but only part of the year and again not that many. You are better off getting it to go and sitting it the central park area near Sprecher’s. More space there than you can shake a stick at — but no dogs allowed.
Your pumpkin loaf continues to call me which makes me even sadder when I have to deny this sweet siren due to my low carb lifestyle (a necessary evil of getting older and slowing metabolism). I won’t ding you for that however; you still make great 5 star pumpkin desserts.
Will I keep coming to get a coffee to go? Probably as long as the weather outside isn’t frightful or it’s not a weekend with all the masses out and about.

With an outdoor mall in Wisconsin, you need a place to pick up a hot beverage (preferably not Starbucks). Maybe shopping has you all worn out and you need an extra carb boost from the bakery (preferably not fast food from the food court). Maybe your guy pal can’t stand to look at dresses in Forever 21 with you, even though you might be a little too old to still be shopping there, and needs to recaffeinate himself to deal with the rest of the shopping excursion (preferably supporting a local business).
Same as all the other Colectivos except seating is smaller, presumably because people are taking their drinks to the shops with them. Solid stuff, man.

You need to change your times on Unilocal.It says it closes at 10pm. But they actually close at 9pm!

Pretty much the same as all the others. Great products but one heck of a wait! At least there is outside seating for when the store is overcrowded.

Next month I am moving to Philadelphia, and it is with a heavy heart I must bid farewell to you, Colectivo. Goodbye Blue Heeler, you will always be my favorite. Goodbye delicious varied breakfast menu, thanks for fueling my mornings, you will be missed more than I can say. Goodbye incredible staff, you were always friendly and patient, even when I had morning brain, and word vomited my beverage requests all over you. Thank you for being the sunshine to my rainy day. Remember when we used to kick it in Bayview, with the hipsters at the bus stop? Good times. Remember those flight attendants at Mitchell Airport who were from Arizona and tried to steal my pound of whole bean Black and Tan because it was, and I quote, the best damn coffee they’d ever had? They were a feisty group. But I digress. Thanks Bayshore Colectivo, for being my go-​to during my final year in Mke. You guys are the best. Keep on grinding.

The workers who been there foryears, who know me are wonderful, and are always great workers. But out of ALL the locations, it’s always THIS location, & the younger people that has an issue with putting my sugar IN my drink. I like the fact that other locations KNOW TO MIX IT IN THE LITTLE CUP WITH THE ESPRESSO. It mixes better than adding it at the end. I know that’s what those cups are for, but I shouldn’t have to explain to them how to do it and why I want it done. That’s why there are sugar and stuff at the barista station. Instead i have to hear «oh the sugar is over there by the lids.»
Other than that. I love collectivo and frequent them daily. Just rarely at this location anymore. And that’s sad because this is my neighborhood collectivo.
Btw im. not talking about regular coffee, I’m talking about lattes and such. I’m not a lazy nitpicker.

I love Collectivo coffee, it’s really good. This location is especially fun to go to as if right in the middle of Bayshore mall action.

Big fan of Alterra since way back. Still don’t like the new name but hey, that’s ok too. Coffee is solid and the loyalty program rocks.
Isn’t as nice a location as the lake or bayview IMHO but it has some outside seating so I can drink coffee (my thing) while my family shops (their thing).
Staff are awesome as other locations and food is above average.
Not really any competition here but they still bring their A game! Way to go Alterra.

I did some research online for coffee places in Wisconsin and colectivo came up and it had many locations so I knew it was someplace I had to try on my visit. My search ended quickly. One of there locations was right down the block from my hotel… Score!
The day after I arrived I decided to come here for lunch. I ordered a turkey club and for the coffee I asked the lady at the register what she recommended. She said her favorite hot drink was the Honey Latte. I’m not a huge fan of honey drinks but I decided to order it anyways.
I decided to sit inside at one of the tables by the windows because everyone enjoys people watching and the tables outside were taken. Each table inside has a lamp and they have free wifi. My drink was made within a couple of minutes decorated with a cute espresso foam design like a pro. To my surprise it was very tasty, not overly sweet. The perfect amount of honey and espresso. The sandwich took a like longer to come out. But when it finally came out about 10 minutes later it was so worth it. All the ingredients where fresh and the aioli they had in the sandwich was so good. It also came with a side of kettle chips which was just as good.
This might be my new favorite place for coffee and a quick bite. I’ll definitely miss it when I go back home.

Consistent quality, timeliness, friendly, and clean. I’ll stop here and support them when I can. Never had a problem and have yet to be dissatisfied.

I wrote a review for this Colectivo location some time ago. It was not a great one. I went to the Bayshore location this morning. Today, the staff was quite friendly and helpful. And the place was cleaner than I had ever seen it. I had, one of my favorites, a peanut butter banana chocolate chip muffin and a cup of coffee. Both were good! Let’s hope this trend continues.

Great coffee and products but takes forever to get it. Very slow compare to other locations.

Excellent coffee, and the best food! Their soups are to die for! White bean chili, mushroom or sweet pea parmesan are my favorite.
Their sport tea is refreshing!

I’ve tried really hard to like their coffee but I don’t. It puts me to sleep. I’ve tried 3 different locations, 10+ brews of coffee, everything makes me sleepy. I have to be careful meeting friends there. If it isn’t an iced drink, I literally curl up in my car and take a half hour+ nap. Starbucks, Stone Creek, others don’t give me this problem. The environment is great, the food is great, the people are friendly. The coffee just doesn’t do it for me. I’ve asked workers if they use a special organic bean that maybe conflicts with my medication (low dose anxiety meds) but we’ve never been able to figure it out.

Best local coffee chain you can get in Milwaukee… actually anywhere! If you’re a native Milwaukeean you know that Colectivo is the old Alterra. New name but the same vibe– local products and the best quality of coffee around. Period. They have added an array of food items to their menu, but since this location is at the bustling Bayshore shopping area, I’d recommend grabbing a cup to go (it gets pretty busy) and exploring other dining options in a more relaxed atmosphere.

This Colectivo is somewhat hit or miss in terms busyness but I love it all the same. The staff, just like most Colectivos is great and very knowledgeable. Despite the location (in you will never find street parking Bayshore) the central location is great on days where you are actually at Bayshore to shop.

I stopped in here for a quick bite to eat and it was really good! I had white chicken chili and a chicken sandwich and both were amazing. The food came out really fast too so it’s a good place to go if you are in a hurry.

This Colectivo location is indeed in the middle of a mall, but still manages to offer some Colectivo (formerly Alterra) coziness. Despite that it’s rather small, they do offer the full selection of beverages and food as other locations. The café is kind of in a «crescent» shape due to the building, so the majority of tables are 2 top with some 4s, and barstools facing out the windows. WiFi is available at all hours. I do like Colectivo, but this is more of a hustle and bustle kind of place, so it depends what you are searching for.

I’m too unique for chains… fuck Starbucks and all that noise. If you’ve made more than one of anything it’s automatically corporate bro.
Errrr Alterra IS a chain? It has locations throughout Milwaukee?
*end sarcasm*
I guess what Alterra can learn us is once you do well in business, you’re encouraged to grow. By creating more copies of your establishment due to demand you’re solidifying a milestone of success. People like what you offer, you make it more available. Hmm, maybe chains aren’t always bad. They started somewhere right?
Alterra ranks my favorite «chain coffee house» in Milwaukee. Sure, Anaba Tea Room in Shorewood is unique. Rochambo will always be a late night haven for caffeine junkies. I can snag a cup of dirty bean water all over the city if I want, but Alterra stands out. I drive around thinking «where’s an Alterra?» because I know they’ve hit that level of celebrity, there *could* be a location near by.
Their coffee is flavorful and well roasted. Tea selection is solid. The Spicy Louisiana Tofu Hash is bomb. I dig it, I can’t say much else. It’s obviously a chain, I can tell by the piles of apparel for sale. But it’s a *good* chain. In my opinion, Alterra shops can pop up wherever they like.