The ideal café for the rest of us would:
Have something happening every lunchtime (Brown Bag Learning Lunch)
Have tables big enough for two laptops and two cappuccinos.
Sell fresh fruit and wholesome soups (with a reduced reliance on delicious tray bakes)
Would have a massive whiteboard for whatever is on your mind.
Would be like Belfast Open Coffee very day and Le Procope every night.
Would have a glass booth at the back for a phone call.
Would provide power and wifi to cafe subscribers.
Would be open early and open late. Maybe not in that order.
Would be run by an independent barista team who wanted a committed customer base.
Would have a small stage in the corner for the busker of the week (who would also get a share of tips)
Would accept that shabby chic is very last year and wouldn’t be afraid of embracing long desks and benches
Would have standing desks with power and Ethernet sockets.
Could be booked for an event but never a closed event.
How about a wall covered in white board like material, rather than a white board – or a chalkboard paint wall?
Would it be possible to BYOB (Bring Your Own Beans) – or would that be against Health and Safety legislation?
Perhaps a membership of said Coffee location would present a card which entitles a cardholder to free (possibly only drip) coffee?
I had conversations about “non alcoholic bars” last night rather than coffee houses (because there is a distinct aroma around a coffee house).
White board paint is okay – but it requires the wall underneath to be really smooth, which is uncommon. They have walls like that in the Animation rooms in UU.
I guess if there is a membership or implied loyalty then it has to be more than just a free coffee every 10 Americanos. You still have to consider how to keep the cafe part open.