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A New York City-based coffee shop that requires customers who are non-members to pay for an amenity is sparking a debate on social media.
« If you thought living in New York City was expensive, now we must pay to take our laptops out at coffee shops. That’s not free anymore. That’s not a free right in our community, » Sidnye Unger, a social media creator, said in a recent TikTok video.
Unger shared a video of a new Wi-Fi policy at the Bedford Studio, a coffee shop and « collective workspace » in the West Village.
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« My friend and I were really taken aback by the Wi-Fi charge/membership at the coffee shop, » Unger told FOX Business via email.
« I have been [to] places that either have no Wi-Fi, or the password will be on the receipt after you purchase, or even having to continue to get a new password (buying) something every 2 hours, » she wrote.
Unger captioned her video, « coffee shops are turning into the next members club. »
She then flashes to a photo showing a sign that reveals the three priced packages that customers who are not members of the studio must pay in order to access the shop’s Wi-Fi.
The framed policy says « Laptop use for members only. »
« Bedford Studio welcomes everyone to come inside to purchase coffee and relax but requires a membership to work from the Studio as it fosters a productive environment and access to connect with new people and participate in member events dedicated to promoting well-being and career growth, » Bedford Studio’s website says.
FOX Business reached out to Bedford House for comment.
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On the sign, the coffee shop lists the different offers, which include a day pass, a monthly membership and an annual membership, each with special inclusions.
The day pass costs $10 and includes « access to work from our space » and a 10% discount on purchases in the shop, the sign reads.
A coffee shop in New York City is requiring customers to pay for Wi-Fi and social media users aren’t sure how they feel about the policy. (Sidnye Unger/@sidnyenikole / Fox News)
The $30 month pass also comes with « invites to member events, » while the yearly membership of $300 gets one additional deal of two complimentary months.
Unger said in her video that she understands the need for customers to buy a drink or even a pastry when sitting working, but the fee on top of the additional purchases is where people seem to draw the line.
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« Fast, free Wi-Fi is vital for most Americans. In fact, 60% of our respondents said that coffee shops and cafes need to provide fast Wi-Fi for visitors. If not, they’d turn around and find another place to grab a drink, » said HighSpeedInternet.com, an online resource that compares internet providers.
Customers are more likely to turn away from a coffee shop if the location does not offer free Wi-Fi, according to HighSpeedInternet.com. (iStock / iStock)
The question whether coffee shops should offer free Wi-Fi seems to be a split decision between social media users.
TikTok creators joined in on the conversation by sharing their thoughts on the coffee shop’s Wi-Fi packages.
« We can’t exist without paying, » one user commented.
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« SUBSCRIPTION BASED SITTING, » another TikTok account shared.
There are three financial plans offered at the West Village coffee shop location — Day Pass for $10, Monthly Membership for $30 and an Annual Membership for $300. (Sidnye Unger/@sidnyenikole / Fox News)
« This is why Libraries will always be the OG best public space, » one social media user wrote.
While some people appeared to find the policy a form of « late stage capitalism, » others were in support of the shop.
« Fantastic cause I hate stumbling into a small cafe wanting to rest/try their space and every table is having full blown conference calls like they’re in a boardroom, » a TikTok user commented.
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« Honestly I wouldn’t mind this. people set up multiple monitors for hours in some of the coffee shops near me and all they buy is a $4 drink. makes sense at busy/small places, » another user wrote.
« The better solution to this (and what many popular restaurants already practice..) is setting a limit on time in terms of seating. Like 1-2 hours max per table or sitter, » one user shared.
A New York coffee shop has caused a debate among customers after seeing the prices that are required to use the location’s Wi-Fi. (Sidnye Unger/@sidnyenikole; iStock / iStock)
Per Diem, a New York-based company that helps businesses create branded mobile apps for restaurants, coffee shops and more said providing free Wi-Fi to customers « has become standard for most coffee shops today. »
« For locations in New York, it is essentially required. Offering these amenities, especially in a city where many live in small apartments, encourages remote workers and students to frequent the cafe and stay for longer periods, increasing sales, » Per Diem wrote as a part of a case study on laptop-friendly coffee shops.
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Unger said that as the world « becomes more digital, » coffee shops have become a place where people enjoy hanging out, working or relaxing.
« In NYC- our apartments aren’t big enough to always work from home or have another room, » she said via email.
« If I am paying upwards of $8 on a coffee, it is really hard to justify paying more for the use of my own computer, » Unger added.
