Will Starbucks be soon kicking out its ‘laptop hobos’?

by on September 23, 2011 · 10 comments

in American Empire, Popular

There are growing rumors that the fabled coffee-giant Starbucks will soon be kicking out its “laptop hobos” – you know those people who buy a cup of Starbucks and a muffin, then flip open their laptop and curl up in their chair for the rest of the day.

Here’s an account by a guy in New York City (I know it’s a long ways away), who works from home, but goes to Starbucks everyday for a little human contact and coffee. This was from earlier this week … he went back got his cup and bagel, started to settle in, and a suit comes up to him and says he’s got to buy another cup or … leave.

Here it tis.

 

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Won't Spoon with the Spoons September 23, 2011 at 10:07 am

Don’t know if anyone realizes this, but Starbucks no longer has a public restroom. Went in there last week and the barista told me that they have now closed it. When I asked why, he3 shrugged. If you went into Starbucks during the OB Farmer’s Market, there was always a line to use the potty, and I did not see a lot of coffee cups in hand either. Tis a shame!

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Kenloc September 23, 2011 at 10:44 am

Buying a cup of Joe and a bagel shouldn’t entitle you to 1/2 day of squatting at a table to mooch free wifi. People in the restaurant industry aren’t too keen on folks buying the cheapest item and sitting at a table for three or four hours,especially in a busy location like Manhattan.I’m sure the next step will be turning off the WiFi or charging for it.Dudes that sit in Starbucks all day and “people watch” are kind of creepy anyway.
As for our local Bucks closing the restroom,can’t say I blame them.No other business on Newport offers restrooms to the public so I’m sure it was a well used throne.Having cleaned public toilets in the past I can only imagine what they’ve seen in there.Scary.

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Bill Ray September 23, 2011 at 1:21 pm
annagrace September 23, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Bill Ray September 23, 2011 at 3:11 pm

He should stick to songwriting.

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unWASHEdwalmaRtthONG September 23, 2011 at 3:50 pm

Now, if we could get those restrooms built over on Brighton, then there would be momentum to provide more facilities for the OB Farmers Market.
First the Brighton banyos
Then OB Market
First the Brighton Banyos
Then OB Market
Come on, chant w/ me.
First, the boys.
Next, the girls.
Now, the virgins
Next, the non-virgins
We shall overcome.

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Barbara Latham September 23, 2011 at 6:25 pm

We didn’t want Starbucks here to begin with!

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ClubStyle_DJ September 23, 2011 at 7:25 pm

I think they want to use that space to open, a first ever starbucks inside a starbucks.
If the chain ever goes under… the OB store will be the last to close… they fought so hard to get/keep it… it ain’t going nowhere with out some martyrdom.
(maybe off topic but… so rarely do I get to use that word)

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unWASHedWalmarttHONG September 23, 2011 at 11:47 pm

In the Starbucks reality there may be no end to that . . .
A Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks
in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a
Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks
in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a
Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in a Starbucks in an
M. C. Escher painting.

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Frank Gormlie September 24, 2011 at 8:53 am

… and please, tell us, what were you smoking?

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