Catering to Laptop Loiterers

By Dave

Local NBC news affiliate and the Washington City Paper talk about how we accommodate laptop "loiterers" and "squatters."

Coffeehouses across America have been facing a serious dilemma that's been exacerbated by the weak economy and that is what to do about the growing number of Laptop users that "campout" and order very little while taking up valuable table space that other guests can use?  While much of the talk over the years has centered around the changing social atmosphere (coffeehouses going from a venue for social interaction to becoming a sea of antisocial laptop users) the economic impact is driving many establishments to the point of declaring an all out war on their Laptop Patrons by imposing internet fees, limiting usage, establishing minimum purchases or in some cases imposing an outright ban on the use of laptops.  But we have chosen to take an entirely different approach.

We recently launched a "Don't Camp Alone" campaign with the goal of encouraging Laptop Users to share their tables with other patrons in the hope of addressing both the social and the economic sides of this dilemma.  Guests who typically leave after looking but not finding a seat are now offered the option of joining a Laptop User's table.  The response being overwhelmingly positive.