We actively encourage people to work from Spruce Blend Gates. Power sockets at every table along the back wall, wifi on the chalkboard, no time limit. But over seven years of running a cafe, we've noticed a few things that make the difference between a good working session and a situation that's awkward for everyone.
Order something every couple of hours ¶
This is the main one. A cafe is a business, and the tables are how it earns. We're not going to come over and ask you to leave or buy something. That's not how we work. But if you're sitting for three hours on one coffee, it's worth ordering a second drink or a slice of something. It keeps the relationship honest and it means we can keep the wifi fast and the sockets working.
Pick the right table ¶
At Spruce Blend Gates, the back wall tables are the work tables. They have the sockets, they're slightly away from the main flow of the cafe, and they're where people tend to settle in. The window tables are better for a quick coffee and a read. If you're setting up for a long session, head to the back. It's also just more comfortable. You're not in the way of people coming in and out.
The garden is not a work space ¶
The back garden is table service, twelve seats, and it fills up quickly on warm afternoons. It's not the right place to open a laptop. The light is difficult, the wifi doesn't reach well, and it's a space people come to sit and talk rather than work. If you need to work, the back wall inside is the place. If you want to take a break from working and sit outside for twenty minutes, that's exactly what the garden is for.
What we actually provide ¶
Reliable wifi (the password changes every Monday and goes on the chalkboard), power sockets at every table along the back wall, and a room that doesn't play music loud enough to make concentration difficult. We keep the volume low on purpose. We also don't have a printer, a scanner, or a meeting room. We're a cafe, not a co-working space. For a focused few hours with good coffee, we're a good option. For a full working day with calls and video meetings, you might want somewhere with more infrastructure.
If you're planning a long working session, Tuesday through Friday mornings are the quietest. Weekends get busy from about 10 a.m. And the back tables fill up fast.