5 Shocking Truths About Hazel Boutique And The Hazelnut Cafe Lavallette Reviews After The Viral Table Drama
Contents
The Campfield Sisters: Owners and Visionaries Behind Hazel
Hazel Boutique is a New Jersey-based brand founded and operated by the entrepreneurial sister duo, Jenna Campfield and Kimberly Campfield. Their vision was to create a destination that merges the retail experience with a welcoming, community-focused cafe environment, allowing customers to shop for unique items while enjoying a quality cup of coffee or a pastry. The Campfield sisters have successfully built the Hazel Brand into a recognized name on the Jersey Shore, known for its curated selection and stylish aesthetic.- Names: Jenna Campfield & Kimberly Campfield
- Role: Co-Owners and Operators of Hazel Boutique & The Hazelnut Cafe
- Location: Lavallette, New Jersey (1901 Grand Central Ave)
- Business Model: Dual-concept retail boutique and coffeehouse
- Boutique Focus: Women's apparel, accessories, home decor, and vintage finds
- Cafe Focus: Specialty coffee, made-from-scratch pastries, and light fare
- Brand Philosophy: Offering trendy, stylish, and unique finds to the local community and visitors.
Truth #1: The Unique Blend of Boutique and Cafe Experience
The primary appeal of Hazel is its successful execution of the hybrid business model. Customers are drawn in by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and then find themselves browsing racks of stylish clothing and unique home goods. This seamless transition is a key element of the overall customer experience.The Hazel Boutique: Coastal Chic and Trendy Finds
The boutique side is highly regarded for its curated selection of women's apparel. Shoppers often praise the store for carrying items that are both current and suitable for the relaxed coastal lifestyle of the Lavallette area. The inventory typically includes:- Apparel: Trendy dresses, sweaters, denim, and casual wear.
- Accessories: Jewelry, bags, scarves, and seasonal items.
- Home Decor: Unique, often bohemian or coastal-themed, items like candles, throw pillows, and wall art.
- Hazel Brand: Exclusive clothing and accessories designed by the owners, which often feature their logo or signature style.
- Vintage Finds: A rotating selection of unique, second-hand pieces that add a distinct character to the store's offerings.
The Hazelnut Cafe: More Than Just a Pit Stop
The cafe component is not an afterthought; it’s a fully functional coffee shop focusing on quality. The menu features locally roasted beans and a variety of made-from-scratch pastries. While specific seasonal drinks change, the cafe is known for its commitment to specialty coffee culture, offering everything from classic espresso drinks to unique signature lattes. The cafe serves as a crucial community hub, providing a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing space for locals to meet and for tourists to take a break from the beach. This dual function—retail therapy and caffeine fix—is what initially earned Hazel its positive reputation among visitors and locals alike.Truth #2: The Viral Incident That Changed Everything
The most significant and recent event impacting Hazel Boutique and The Hazelnut Cafe’s reviews is the highly publicized viral table drama that unfolded in August 2025. This incident, which began as a customer complaint on TikTok and quickly spread across Reddit and national news, became a major point of discussion about customer service, child-friendliness, and business liability. The controversy centered on a customer, Katthy Denman, whose three-year-old daughter accidentally knocked over a heavy, 600-pound table, which the mother claimed was wobbly. The table was reportedly valued at $1,600. The mother’s account alleged that the owners "held her hostage," demanding she pay for the damage and refusing to let her leave until she provided her license and credit card information. This claim ignited a massive online backlash against the business, with many critics arguing that this was an issue for business insurance, not a customer's responsibility.The Owners' Response and Aftermath
In response to the viral firestorm, the owners, Jenna and Kimberly Campfield, released a statement and surveillance footage of the incident. They denied the claim that they demanded payment or held the mother "hostage," though they did confirm they asked for her information. The owners defended their actions, citing the significant cost of the damage. The immediate aftermath saw a severe split in online reviews. While some loyal customers posted five-star reviews to support the owners, a flood of negative, one-star reviews—often from people who had never visited the store—slammed the business for its perceived poor customer service and handling of the situation. Ultimately, the owners announced they had removed the controversial tables from the cafe to prevent any future similar incidents, a move seen by many as an attempt to de-escalate the situation and address the underlying safety concern.Truth #3: The Divide in Customer Service Reviews
Pre-controversy reviews for Hazel Boutique and The Hazelnut Cafe often praised the friendly staff, the quality of the coffee, and the unique shopping environment. Post-controversy, the reviews are sharply polarized, making it difficult for new customers to gauge the actual experience. * Positive Reviews (The Loyalists): These reviews often highlight the personalized service in the boutique, the high-quality coffee, and the owners’ dedication to their small business. They see the owners as victims of an unfair public shaming and praise the store’s aesthetic and unique product line. Keywords like "charming," "stylish apparel," and "best coffee in Lavallette" frequently appear. * Negative Reviews (The Critics): These reviews almost universally center on the customer service aspect of the table incident. They cite the owners’ handling of the situation as a major red flag, questioning the business’s child-friendliness and their approach to conflict resolution. Terms like "poor management," "unprofessional," and "overpriced" are common, often directly referencing the viral drama. This polarization is a key topical authority point—the reviews are no longer just about the product, but about the business's ethics and public relations handling.Truth #4: The Price Point and Value Proposition
A recurring theme in reviews, separate from the customer service drama, is the perceived price point. Hazel Boutique is a retail clothing store that focuses on trendy, high-quality, and unique finds, which naturally places its prices above fast-fashion retailers. The value proposition is clear: customers are paying for curated style, the convenience of the dual-concept location, and the support of a local, family-owned business. However, some reviews consistently label the items, particularly the home decor and apparel, as "overpriced" when compared to larger department stores. The Hazelnut Cafe, offering specialty coffee and made-from-scratch pastries, also operates at a premium price point typical of artisanal coffee shops on the Jersey Shore. For many, the atmosphere and quality justify the cost; for others, the price is a deterrent, especially when factoring in the recent negative press regarding the owners' business practices.Truth #5: The Future of the Hybrid Business Model in Lavallette
Despite the intense scrutiny and the PR nightmare of 2025, the unique hybrid model of Hazel Boutique and The Hazelnut Cafe remains a powerful draw in the Lavallette area. The owners’ decision to remove the controversial tables demonstrates a willingness to adapt and mitigate future risks, a crucial step for business longevity. The store continues to attract a steady flow of customers interested in its boutique apparel and specialty coffee. The long-term success of the business will depend on its ability to move past the viral drama and rebuild trust with the wider public. By focusing on the quality of their Hazel Brand products, maintaining a high standard for their locally roasted coffee, and ensuring impeccable, non-confrontational customer experience, the Campfield sisters can shift the narrative back to their original vision: a charming, must-visit destination on the New Jersey coast.
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