Uh- Oh, A Coffee Shop Is Charging For Wi-Fi

If you frequent coffee shops as much as most people these days you will notice that most of the chairs and tables are being taken up with people on their laptops, tablets and phones. They are all enjoying the free Wi-Fi and conducting their business, studies or just surfing the web and social sites.

It's modern life that we have come to accept and expect. When we find a seat the first thing we do is try to log on to the shop's free Wi-Fi and settle in with our favorite coffee or treat. The fact that there is a shop that has decided to charge for it comes as a shock.

Who do they think they are? This is America and it's practically a right to have free Wi-Fi in coffee shop and just about anywhere else.

Is it because they are tired of people sitting around too long and taking up precious room. Is it a way to make more money as well?

The rule at most coffee shops is buy something and you can use their Wi-Fi as long as you want.  But not at ALL coffee shops . . .

A coffee place in New York called Bedford Studio is getting some bad press for charging customers $10 a day if they want to use their laptop.  That's on top of what you pay for their fancy coffee, which isn't cheap.

Someone posted a video of a sign that says "laptop use" is for "members only."  It's $10 a day . . . $30 a month . . . or $300 a year.  They bill themselves as a coffee shop, but also a co-working space.  So that's why they think they can charge extra.

Their website says they welcome "everyone to come inside to purchase coffee and relax."  But they require a membership to work there, because they've created a space that "fosters a productive environment" and allows you to "connect with new people."  (So . . . like a coffee shop?)

The reaction online is mixed.  Some think Wi-Fi should always be free, but others like the idea.  One person said they hate how coffee shops are always packed now, with tons of people on loud Zoom calls all day.  

(Fox Business)

Coffee is life blood. I love a good independent coffee shop. It feels homey, it's buzzing (literally) with activity, and it smells unbelievable. Oh and the Joe is tasty too! 24/7 Wall St takes their coffee shops seriously. They reviewed coffee shop articles and rankings on a range of websites including Food & Wine, Fodors, The Culture Trip, Time Out, Eater, and Yelp, then used editorial discretion to determine the very best independent coffee shop in every state in the country.

If you love coffee like I love coffee this is valuable intel so let me pass their findings on to you. I'll give you the Best Independent Coffee Shop (no chains included) in every New England state. I'll give you a few extra frequent travel-destination states as well - then we'll finish up with the BEST independent coffee shop in Massachusetts, and wait until you hear about their insane hot chocolate!

By the way I looooovvvveee Dunkin' too! How could I not? I'm a Masshole, it's in my blood. CLICK HERE for a bragging right list of Mass towns that have the most Dunkin' locations. We sure have a plenty!

Bard Coffee
Portland
Beans are roasted using a top-of-the-line Loring Smart Roast by head roaster Bill Guddeck. I'm not quite sure what that means... but it sounds thorough and impressive.

Onyx Tonics
Burlington
They feature a weekly rotating menu of coffees from high-end roasters - from local to international.

Shearwater Coffee Bar
Fairfield & Westport
Go for the great coffee, stay for the rad patio, and take home some of their house-roasted whole beans!

Coffee Exchange
Providence
The coffee here is all fair-trade, organic, and responsibly-sourced right at Coffee Exchange, where it’s roasted daily in small batches.

Breaking New Grounds
Durham
They buy the coffee beans green and roast them themselves and they only roast as much as needed every day to make sure it's always as fresh as possible.

Café Ammi Roasting Co.
Pelham
They've been doing it since 1963 just north of NYC so they know what they're doing.

Roast’d
Hasbrouck Heights, Fort Lee, and Franklin Lakes
Baristas grind the beans for each coffee fresh per order. It takes a little longer but it's worth it.

Two Hearted Queen
Chicago
It's in an old funky house with old funky (comfortable) furniture and fun names for all the coffee drinks like Love Potion #222 which apparently works like Cupid's arrow.

Wells Coffee Company
Fort Lauderdale
Awesome husband and wife owners who put their love of coffee into every cup.

Bongo Java
Nashville
I went here every morning when I was in Nashville. Their two bourbon-barrel-aged coffees are fan favorites... and their vanilla lattes were bangin'.

Try Hard Coffee Roasters
Austin
They have signature drinks like the Die Spitz – housemade coffee cola with cherry and coconut cream foam. Woah.

Thinking Cup
Boston
They're right in Boston Common serving up a wide range of coffees in every price range plus their hot chocolate is insanely good. They make it with with 64% Tainori Valhrona Drinking Chocolate. Impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ6KEcRBqI0

Check out all of 24/7 Wall St.'s best independent coffee shops in America RIGHT HERE! Enjoy!