Why not use a library?
Libraries in many places have been devastated by budget cuts. My local library is open 10-2 some days!
Go to local university library. Enjoy 8-10.
Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
51–60 of 83 posts
Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#52Why not just get one of those wi-fi setups where a wi-fi password is printed on the receipt and the number of minutes/hours of wi-fi the customer receives is either a fixed amount or tied to the amount of margin you're making on a customer for that transaction.
It basically says to the customer "Want to continue working here? Buy another coffee."
This of course doesn't address those that show up with their personal hotspots, but I feel like that is still the minority of coffee shop campers.
Removing wall outlets is another deterrent. You can only keep working as long as you have juice. That said, battery life for mobile devices is getting longer, so this tactic isn't always effective.
Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#53So how can you monetize the desire of people to work in comfortable semi-social private spaces?
You have deliberately made the space comfortable for long stays. Now figure out how to get the users to pay the rent!
Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#54Please stay in my coffee shop. Although that person is using your internet with a $4 coffee, they're occupying space after everybody "is gone"(9am-11am and 1pm-4pm), contributing with their physical presence. A newcomer, that may end up becoming a long-term customer, would feel more biased towards places with more customers( or the idea of). So, although it might seem financially reasonable to kick them out, I doubt…
We do hackathons at a local craft coffee/beer cafe. I usually turn up with between 4 to 12 engineers and they all get coffee, beer, food on an expensed credit card. The guy that manages the place told me we could reserve tables like conference rooms if we wanted. Pretty cool.
Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#55This is something one would never see in Europe. In Paris it's acceptable to buy an expresso, or a glass of wine and stay for hours. On my last day in Paris I did this and got a free bowl of chips too! Talk about hospitality.
It's acceptable here, too. The coffee shop featured in the article is not "the norm." (In fact, the reason it's featured in an article at all is because it's out of the ordinary for coffee shops to kick people out.)
Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#56I'd pay by the hour for fast wifi + power, but the coffee would have to be free... Edit: this part of the article stood out - >“A croissant and a coffee to support a local business are a lot cheaper than a co-working membership.” Yep. I wonder if it's a lack of co-working spaces or pricing to "what the market will bear". I need a cross between a hackerspace and a co-working space.
This describes the coworking space I frequent... and I can buy decent snacks as well
Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#57This is something one would never see in Europe. In Paris it's acceptable to buy an expresso, or a glass of wine and stay for hours. On my last day in Paris I did this and got a free bowl of chips too! Talk about hospitality.
What is this "expresso" you talk about?
Sorry, espresso. People correct me about this all the time. It's such an ingrained habit I don't know if I'll ever be able to pronounce/type that word properly.
Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#58Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#59The real solution is the local library needs to offer coffee.
As well as good wifi, some renovations, and better decor[0]. [0] At least in my experience. I'm not sure what it is about coffeeshops. Their decor is just conducive to working, much more than the local library, at least.
Yes! Imagine if your local library was furnished more like an old book store; with decadent yet comfortable furniture and more soft lighting that is just slightly more yellow than the bright white they use. All the libraries I have been to (admittedly not many, these days) all look like hospitals.
Re: Did you buy that latte 2 hours ago? Think about leaving the coffee shop
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's way easier if the cafe also sells food. Me and 2 others basically built a company some years back out of a cafe in Sacramento, but we always bought lots of coffee and bought our lunch there as well. We all shared 1 table too so the space was used well, and of course talked to the owner who had no problem. Here's a great way to discourage campers: no outlets, not even 1.
Yep, brand new food court here in Canberra, Australia has no outlets. The outlets in the older food court have been hidden but can be found if you know where to look.
I have never worked outside of my own private space. I just feel uneasy, unsure and anxious that I am doing someone wrong by doing so.
If someone has covered up or hidden the outlets, to me that's a very clear sign that they don't want me there (atleast for that reason), and as such I would feel really guilty for using them. I suppose that's slightly different in a food court though, it's a bit more public than a coffee shop.