Beyond Reality discussion

What do you like about cafes? Do you have any favorites? How would you go about opening a cafe if you wanted to, and what would make it special? Does anyone here actually own their own cafe?

As a rule I don't like cafes. I don't care for coffee or tea and I'd rather just stay at home. But by a twist of fate my family owns one. It's a garden cafe. It can be a struggle attracting customers particularly during inclement weather, or the whole winter season, when the trees and flowers aren't as pretty, so I could understand Viv's troubles.

I love cafes and have several faves! Mud Creek Coffee, Kaukauna Coffee and Tea, The River Coffee and Cream, Grounded Patio Cafe, Copper Rock Coffee Co., Cabin Coffee Co., and (yes, I know it’s a chain), Panera Bread.

I would never want to own one, but what makes these special are their friendly staff, delicious array of beverages, and at least a few healthy options for salads and sandwiches (wraps & paninis), plus a willingness to customize one’s order. The downside is most (not all) of them are only open till 2 or 3 PM, and my favorite time to go there is mid-afternoon (like 3-4 PM) for “lupper” (a combo of lunch and supper).

I love cafes and pre-pandemic spent a LOT of time there doing all of my grading. Usually at Panera, but that's only because there is not an affordable comfortable independent spot in my town. I am one of those people who can't focus when it's too quiet, so I love going to a cafe, finding a comfy booth, putting on my headphones and plowing through all of the papers I have to grade.

When the pandemic hit I cleared out a storage room and turned it into a basement office, and since I have the work space now I rarely do the cafe thing. When my kids are a little older and I'm not so busy parenting on weekends, maybe I will get back to my cafe routine.

My idea cafe has comfortable places to work - maybe a fireplace going in the winter - tasty food (especially breakfast stuff because I do my best work in the mornings) - good coffee or tea - free wifi - and a tolerance for people staying several hours and occupying their space. I had a stretch of 3 or 4 years in a row of going to Panera to work every Sunday morning for my grading marathons, and the staff knew me and knew my usual order, which was nice. I also made friends with a gaggle of elderly gentlemen who were there every morning. I haven't been back since COVID and I hope they weathered the pandemic okay.

I love cafés, especially cute independent ones. I don’t spend a lot of time in them except when I meet someone occasionally. I love it when they have nice things to eat for much or gorgeous cakes for indulgence.

If I had one of my own, I’d include a variety of types of seating arrangements to accommodate people who just want to sit and read, sit and work, meet with friends, eat or whatever. I would have a fire place in the winter and outdoor seating in a beautiful garden for summer. I’d have a book/magazine exchange area.

I love a coffee cafe when meeting a friend for a chat. My local Starbucks is my go-to place... they don't have a drive thru, so it's just locals coming by for a cup of coffee and a pastry.

But my favorite coffee cafe memory was of Raven's Brew in Ketchikan, Alaska. We stumbled onto it while on holiday, and it was just the perfect place for a rest, a beverage, and some people watching.

A variety of types of seating arrangements would def. appeal to me, yes, DivaDiane. Affordable beverages would be key. I, personally, don't want there to be snacks. I don't want music to have to talk over, but I do want to meet a friend there for a game of cards with our conversation and decaf.