My J.CO Experience

*Disclaimer, photos were taken from my phone but edited through our trusty Abode Lightroom. ^_^ 

The J.CO story: Part 1: The line: Waiting in line before the store opens. 

I have heard of this ominous new Donut/Coffee store named J.CO with infamous lines that would go on even before the store opened. Some have even said that a normal waiting time in order to sink your teeth into these sought-after donuts was 2 hours! 

2 hours! That's already a whole movie and for what? A box of donuts?! As Sheldon Cooper said 'color me intrigued' and I definitely was. So when a branch of J.CO opened near where I work I grabbed the opportunity. 

Now, I'm not really one to jump into the band wagon but my team did deserve a little sweet treat and what better way than to satisfy their clamoring than with a box...err two boxes of this elusive donut brand. 

So even if the store was to open at 7:00AM we already set out before then and lo and behold there was already a line of eager patrons outside of the store. I don't remember people ever lining up for anything and it must have been a sight since Eastwood guards were also taking photos of the growing line. You could tell that they were given the task since there were two different guards with a camera each taking photos of the line (at different angles mind you!). 

As if by some cruel jape of the business deity-this was the golden hour, the perfect opportunity since night owls such as myself who work in the BPO industry clock out (log off/log out) and go home at this time; so it really is not a chore for them to line up before 7:00AM to take home some of this donut goodness (a midnight snack at 7:00AM is not so absurd in our world). It was definitely the stuff of which a business owners' dreams were made of. 

It could easily be deduced that the line was composed of people working in different Call Centers who were either on their way home or probably on their breaks and there we were in the line with them. 

Longer line inside. Snaking all across the perimeter of the store. 

So there we were, right in the middle of all the J.CO fever, just makes one think where the hell did J.CO come from? A quick research shows that J.CO originated from Indonesia in 2005 and has mainly operated in Asian countries and has recently opened branches in the Philippines, in Trinoma, SM Megamall and my home court- Eastwood City. Perhaps another reason for the long lines, rarity does get people intrigued, it certainly is not Starbucks that has sprouted in every corner possible. 

Once inside, I noticed the systematic routine that the staff followed which made the long lines bearable, everyone was efficient and that was definitely a good thing to know. 

The prices were not through the roof as well, keeping in competition with Krispy Kreme and Go Nuts Donuts but of course still much more expensive that Dunkin Donut and Mister Donut. 

The J.CO Story: The booty. Behold! Our purchases after lining up. 

One unique trait of J.CO are the fun names that they have for their donuts. With pop-savy names such as 'Blue Berrymore, Berry Spears and Avocado Dicaprio' you just can't wait to try them all and that would probably be the case for most people. Although a more reserved and less adventurous palette such as mine would stick to flavors I'm familiar with. (Avocado Dicaprio- na-ah! I don't think so.) 

The J.CO Story: The best part- eating the donuts! 

So did it live up to the hype? Well as long as my team says 'yes' and they are happy with the purchase, as evident with the quick disappearance of two boxes of J.CO donuts then I guess yes it did live up to the hype.