HOLLAND — A free squishy toy, a long line of cars and a swarm of wasps made for an eventful Labor Day weekend at Holland’s 7 Brew Coffee.

The drive-thru at 638 E. 16th St. drew heavy attention Monday, Sept. 7, as the chain’s nationwide “Jackpot Day” promotion offered customers a limited-edition 7 Brew Doh with the purchase of two medium or large drinks. But the giveaway also brought complaints from motorists and neighboring businesses about traffic backups, while a separate Facebook post raised concerns about wasps inside the stand and around vehicles.

For some customers, the question was whether the stand still had squishies. For others, it was how to get through the traffic.

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The promotion ran from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Labor Day, with the free toys available while supplies lasted. The Brew Doh is 7 Brew’s branded version of the popular NeeDoh sensory toy made by Schylling, featuring a soft, squeezable design and miniature 7 Brew logos inside the gel.

The giveaway generated similar crowds elsewhere in the country. Milwaukee-area news outlets reported multi-hour waits and police helping direct traffic at some locations.

In Holland, Facebook users asked how long the wait was and whether the stand still had the toys. By afternoon, one post reported that “Sevenbrew is out of squishes.”

Wendy Horling posted a photo of backed-up traffic near East 16th Street with a more pointed question: “Shove your needohs! How the ef are we supposed to get to the taproom?”

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The traffic complaints followed a separate concern raised Sunday, Sept. 6, in the Facebook group Holland is So Ghetto.

Nicole Marie wrote that she encountered an “absolutely insane amount of wasps” at the Holland location. She said the insects were inside the building, landing on flavorings and flying around vehicles as customers ordered drinks.

Marie warned customers with severe allergies and questioned the conditions employees were working in.

“Absolutely unacceptable for the staff and workers alike,” she wrote, adding that she was concerned about children and adults with allergies who might not expect to encounter wasps at the drive-thru.

A commenter identifying themselves as an employee said workers had also been stung. The commenter wrote that three or four baristas had been stung while making drinks and that employees were trying to deter the insects with peppermint oil and a handheld vacuum.

“We try our best to detour them with peppermint oil but I think they have become immune so we try to just vacuum them up with a hand vac but they have found a way to escape that as well,” the commenter wrote.

Other commenters noted that wasps are common around sugary drinks in late summer and suggested the business hire an exterminator. The Hollander has not independently verified the employee’s identity or the reported number of stings.

On Sunday, Jeremy Dale Bunker posted in the Facebook group Holland Informed asking 7 Brew and the City of Holland to address traffic he said was blocking the road.

“You shouldn’t be stopped in the middle of the road for 10 minutes blocking it,” Bunker wrote, arguing that people traveling to work or conducting other business should not be delayed by the coffee line.

Several commenters said neighboring businesses along the road were also affected. One described difficulty getting into the driveway for an oil change, while another criticized the location and entrance signage.

A commenter identifying themselves as a 7 Brew employee said the stand had been especially busy during the previous two weeks, with college students returning to town and the holiday weekend adding to demand. The commenter said employees were trying to control traffic on their property and direct customers around the Wooden Shoe area to get into line.

“We try our best to control traffic within our own parking lot and by sending people all the way back to the wooden shoe to turn around and get in line that way but that’s about the best we can do,” the commenter wrote.

The accounts point to a recurring challenge for a popular drive-thru: keeping a line of customers from interfering with access to surrounding businesses and public roads. The Hollander has not independently confirmed the length of the reported delays or whether the city has received formal complaints.

The Labor Day giveaway was a one-day promotion, but the concerns about traffic and wasps extend beyond the free toys. The Facebook posts raise questions about how the stand manages peak demand, whether its current traffic pattern is adequate and what steps are being taken to address insects around the building.