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

Author Bob Bronson

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?

We wonder if this is the beginning of a new trend?

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)

Bob is a native New Englander, growing up (sorta) in Maine where his love for radio started at a young age. While in high school he hosted radio shows on a local radio station, and he has never looked back. Bob joined the US Navy and served onboard the Sixth Fleet Flagship as a radio and TV host. After serving for 3 years, it was off to Emerson College in Boston. Bob hosted shows in Boston on WMEX, WVBF and WSSH in the 80’s and 90’s before heading to radio stations in Raleigh, NC, Manchester, NH, and New York City. Bob has been married for almost 25 years to Carolyn, a Woburn gal and they have 3 daughters, Nicole, Taylor, and Bridget. Bob and Carolyn are proud first-time grandparents to baby Caroline, who they plan to spoil every chance they get! “I started my career in New England and could not be happier to come back to Boston where I can root for all the Boston sports teams and eat lots of lobster rolls and clam chowder (okay not lots)… It is an honor to host the WROR morning show with LBF and wake up the World’s Greatest City!” Bob writes about recipes and restaurants, pop culture and trending topics.

Independent Coffee Shop Named Massachusetts's Best Also Serves the Most Amazing Hot Chocolate

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!

  • Maine's Best Independent Coffee Shop

    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.
    Tokyo Baristas And Art Of Coffee

  • Vermont's Best Independent Coffee Shop

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

  • Connecticut's Best Independent Coffee Shop

    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!

  • Rhode Island's Best Independent Coffee Shop

    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.
    Arla Organic's Coffee Week Latte Art Throwdown

  • New Hampshire's Best Independent Coffee Shop

    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.

  • New York's Best Independent Coffee Shop

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

  • New Jersey's Best Independent Coffee Shop

    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.
    Arla Organic's Coffee Week Latte Art Throwdown

  • Illinois's Best Independent Coffee Shop

    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.

  • Florida's Best Independent Coffee Shop

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

  • Tennessee's Best Independent Coffee Shop

    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’.
    Eggnog

  • Texas's Best Independent Coffee Shop

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

  • MASSACHUSETTS's Best Independent Coffee Shop

    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.

  • For the full list of bests...

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

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