Jackson Heights Life

hey Julie, orzabelle is right on about signs being posted.       More ideas:

A sign ON EACH TABLE that says "during lunch hours -- say 12noon to 2pm -- no computers allowed so people can sit and eat their lunch".   

Or better yet, how about "please don't sit for longer than 30 minutes with your computer to allow patrons a place to eat". 

OR if you know certain hours are slower than others, designate the slow hours only for people with computers.  Say after the morning rush, after lunch hour... etc.  And post a sign with the "computer friendly hours".

If it were my business, I'd lose the Wi-Fi.  It's not like you have a ton of available seating.  I wouldn't give a crap about the "cool" factor.  But that's just me.

hey Julie, orzabelle is right on about signs being posted.       More ideas:

A sign ON EACH TABLE that says "during lunch hours -- say 12noon to 2pm -- no computers allowed so people can sit and eat their lunch".   

Or better yet, how about "please don't sit for longer than 30 minutes with your computer to allow patrons a place to eat". 

OR if you know certain hours are slower than others, designate the slow hours only for people with computers.  Say after the morning rush, after lunch hour... etc.  And post a sign with the "computer friendly hours".



If it were my business, I'd lose the Wi-Fi.  It's not like you have a ton of available seating.  I wouldn't give a crap about the "cool" factor.  But that's just me.

The idea about signs was posted a while back. What's so cool about spending endless hours on the computer in a coffee shop?

The idea about signs was posted a while back. What's so cool about spending endless hours on the computer in a coffee shop?

I'm not backing up the table-hoggers, but I just wanted to point out that people might be on their laptops all day because they are working, not because it's "cool." 

However, I do agree that they should not expect a small independent cafe with limited tables to serve as their office-away-from-office.

I misinterpreted your comment.  When you said, "What's so cool about spending endless hours on the computer in a coffee shop?" I thought you meant that you felt people were there all day on their laptops in an effort to be cool or be seen as cool. 

I misinterpreted your comment.  When you said, "What's so cool about spending endless hours on the computer in a coffee shop?" I thought you meant that you felt people were there all day on their laptops in an effort to be cool or be seen as cool. 

Which was in response to another comment about wi-fi and the "cool factor" of having it as a service.  

Hi Everyone,

Speaking for myself, I hope at the end of this conversation, Espresso 77 comes out for the better.  I want to see this neighborhood gem do well.

Patrons of e77 that bring their laptops in and treat e77 as their personal office for the whole day whilst only buying a cup of small coffee is probably not the kind of business that will allow e77 to thrive.

BUT, I'm not sure it is all that useful to characterize every patron with a laptop in this manner.  I've seen two laptop users sharing a table.  I've seen laptop patrons getting up every 30 minutes to buy another cup of coffee (while making a pitstop at the loo).  I would argue that it is much too easy to characterize every patron with a laptop as the source of the problem simply because they are the most visible in a very tight space. 

If achieving a high-turnover is our only concern, shouldn't e77 be worrying about the mothers and nannies that drag in their kids - occupying more than one seat - while only ordering a cup of coffee?  (Let's not even discuss the screaming that those "awful" kids do that can drive other patrons up the wall)  What about the older patrons who seem to hold court both inside and on the benches outside e77 during the day whilst nursing their one cup of coffee...how do they contribute to e77's bottom line?   

Suggestions made above such as posting a sign limiting computer usage to 30 minutes reminds me of fast food chains like McDonalds.  Treating laptop patrons like the homeless and vagrants that camp out at McD seem a little extreme.   Moreover, I certainly don't want the nice granny enjoying her cup of coffee on a sunny afternoon to be booted out of the shop after 30 minutes.  Why should the 30 minute limit apply only to computer users?

In my opinion, there is nothing "cool" about laptops at a coffeeshop per se, but it is the diversity of people visiting a store that serves a quality product that makes e77 cool.  Young and old, laptop and non-laptop, etc, etc makes e77 cool.  This mix of people and the energy they create...and not just the brightly colored walls and artwork makes e77 an attractive store to go plop down 3 dollars for a cup of beverage. 

And for those that are "put off" by the computer users at e77, I know of other people who avoid shops like Lety's and Dunkin Donuts because they think its used by the senior residents of JH as a lounge. 

My suggestion would be to limit the number of laptop users at e77 to perhaps 3 patrons at any given time.  That way, laptop users continue to contribute to the diversity of e77 while making a less significant impact on turnover rate and seats occupied.  Those that use e77 as their office will be constantly asked by incoming patrons carrying laptops how much longer they were planning to stay.  Plus, the nice barristas at e77 won't have to become "hall monitors" with stop watches. 
For me, I love the diversity...best illustrated by the past two story hours at e77...moms, dads and kids, older folks...all with drinks in hand...and a few laptop patrons sprinkled in for good measure!

Hi Everyone,

Speaking for myself, I hope at the end of this conversation, Espresso 77 comes out for the better.  I want to see this neighborhood gem do well.

Patrons of e77 that bring their laptops in and treat e77 as their personal office for the whole day whilst only buying a cup of small coffee is probably not the kind of business that will allow e77 to thrive.

BUT, I'm not sure it is all that useful to characterize every patron with a laptop in this manner.  I've seen two laptop users sharing a table.  I've seen laptop patrons getting up every 30 minutes to buy another cup of coffee (while making a pitstop at the loo).  I would argue that it is much too easy to characterize every patron with a laptop as the source of the problem simply because they are the most visible in a very tight space. 

If achieving a high-turnover is our only concern, shouldn't e77 be worrying about the mothers and nannies that drag in their kids - occupying more than one seat - while only ordering a cup of coffee?  (Let's not even discuss the screaming that those "awful" kids do that can drive other patrons up the wall)  What about the older patrons who seem to hold court both inside and on the benches outside e77 during the day whilst nursing their one cup of coffee...how do they contribute to e77's bottom line?   

Suggestions made above such as posting a sign limiting computer usage to 30 minutes reminds me of fast food chains like McDonalds.  Treating laptop patrons like the homeless and vagrants that camp out at McD seem a little extreme.   Moreover, I certainly don't want the nice granny enjoying her cup of coffee on a sunny afternoon to be booted out of the shop after 30 minutes.  Why should the 30 minute limit apply only to computer users?

In my opinion, there is nothing "cool" about laptops at a coffeeshop per se, but it is the diversity of people visiting a store that serves a quality product that makes e77 cool.  Young and old, laptop and non-laptop, etc, etc makes e77 cool.  This mix of people and the energy they create...and not just the brightly colored walls and artwork makes e77 an attractive store to go plop down 3 dollars for a cup of beverage. 

And for those that are "put off" by the computer users at e77, I know of other people who avoid shops like Lety's and Dunkin Donuts because they think its used by the senior residents of JH as a lounge. 

My suggestion would be to limit the number of laptop users at e77 to perhaps 3 patrons at any given time.  That way, laptop users continue to contribute to the diversity of e77 while making a less significant impact on turnover rate and seats occupied.  Those that use e77 as their office will be constantly asked by incoming patrons carrying laptops how much longer they were planning to stay.  Plus, the nice barristas at e77 won't have to become "hall monitors" with stop watches. 
For me, I love the diversity...best illustrated by the past two story hours at e77...moms, dads and kids, older folks...all with drinks in hand...and a few laptop patrons sprinkled in for good measure!

Not sure I'd characterize someone else's kids as "awful" Screaming is what kids often do. It might not be pleasent, it might not be the greatest behavior, but, it doesn't make them horrible kids.

I will assume that means you will show them your NRA membership card...

We put a new policy in place today that allows for a free hour of computer use with purchase on weekdays and a free half-hour on weekends, with extra time for a fee and time maximums.  It is a work-in-progress - we'll see how it goes and make changes if we need to.  If you have constructive comments, please write a note to me and leave it at the counter.
As always, we are open to hearing everyone's suggestions and we will do what we can to make things workable for ALL of our customers.