SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
'We don't want to be an office:' Café owners are pulling the plug on WiFi
When HotBlack Coffee opened in downtown Toronto a year ago, it took a risk few businesses would dare take in today's online-driven world: it turned off the WiFi.
"Every day people come in and ask for it," says Jimson Bienenstock, the café's co-owner.
Still, he hasn't wavered.
"In the short term, it hurt us," Mr. Bienenstock says. "It took us longer to become established, but once we reached critical mass, it has become a self-fulfilling virtuous circle."
While most cafés offer free WiFi, including large chains such as Starbucks, McDonald's and Tim Hortons, HotBlack is among a small but growing number of independent coffee shops choosing to ditch or limit Internet use. By not offering WiFi, they're hoping to create more of a community atmosphere where people talk to each other instead of silently typing on their computers.
If coffeeshops come to discourage people working, perhaps that activity can shift to libraries.
(Score: 2) by AthanasiusKircher on Tuesday May 02 2017, @02:46PM (1 child)
Why do people go into a coffee shop? Basically no one goes there to "just" drink a coffee.
Just to note: this is a very American perspective. Having hung out at many French and Italian cafes/bars (espresso is often found in "bars" in Italy), there are lots of folks who just come in and drink a coffee/espresso/cafe creme. Particularly popular in places with outdoor seating. Yes, the "regulars" will often chat a bit, but mostly they're just there for a cup in the morning or an afternoon "pick me up" or whatever.
Also, even in the U.S., many coffee shops in walkable busy central squares in cities cater to these sorts of folks too. They just want to come in and generally have a quick cup. Nowadays with "to-go" cups as the default most places, it's more rare, but people used to just sit down and drink for 10-15 minutes or whatever. Also, I know this makes me sound like an "old geezer," but people used to be content just sitting somewhere for 10-15 minutes without pulling out a smartphone or laptop or whatever for distraction. I'm NOT saying these trends are some sort of "end of civilization" or whatever others might say, but people really DID come to just sit and drink coffee before wifi and constant connectivity became so common.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by bob_super on Wednesday May 03 2017, @12:48AM
Just sit outside in the shade of a Provence sycamore tree. Have a drink and a bite. Chat with friends. Watch people walking by. Chat with random table doing the same. Check the Asian tourists looking for buildings and missing the point. Walk away after an hour or two, less if the place is full.
Southern European know how to properly enjoy wasting time...