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A New York City cafe that charges non-member customers a fee for an amenity is sparking debate on social media.
“If you thought living in New York City was expensive, now we have to pay to take our laptops to coffee shops. That’s no longer free. That’s not a free right in our community,” said Sidnye Unger, a social media creator, in a recent TikTok video.
Unger shared a video about a new Wi-Fi policy at Bedford Studio, a cafe and “collective workspace” in the West Village.
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“My friend and I were really surprised by the Wi-Fi fees/membership at the cafe,” Unger told FOX Business via email.
“I’ve been to places where there was either no Wi-Fi, or the password was on the receipt after you made your purchase, or where you had to get a new password every two hours when you made a purchase,” she wrote.
Unger titled her video “Coffeeshops are becoming the next membership club.”
She then switches to a photo showing a sign detailing the three price packages that customers who are not members of the studio must pay to access the store’s Wi-Fi.
The boxed policy states: “Laptop use for members only.”
“The Bedford Studio welcomes everyone to come in to purchase coffee and relax. However, membership is required to work in the studio as it provides a productive environment and the opportunity to meet new people and participate in member events designed to promote wellbeing and career growth,” the Bedford Studio website states.
FOX Business has contacted Bedford House for comment.
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On the sign, the café lists the different offers, which include a day pass, a monthly membership and an annual membership, each with special inclusive services.
The day pass costs $10 and includes “access to our premises” as well as a 10 percent discount on purchases in the shop, the sign says.
A New York City cafe is charging customers for Wi-Fi access, and social media users are unsure what to make of the policy. (Sidnye Unger/@sidnyenikole / Fox News)
The $30 monthly pass also includes “invitations to member events,” while the $300 annual membership includes an additional two free months.
Unger said in her video that she understands customers’ need to buy a drink or even just a pastry while working, but the fee for the additional purchases seems to be where the public draws the line.
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“Fast, free Wi-Fi is essential for most Americans. In fact, 60% of our respondents said coffee shops and cafes must provide fast Wi-Fi to their patrons. Otherwise, they would turn around and get a drink somewhere else,” said HighSpeedInternet.com, an online resource that compares internet providers.
According to HighSpeedInternet.com, customers are more likely to turn away from a coffee shop if it doesn’t offer free Wi-Fi. (Photo: iStock)
When it comes to the question of whether cafes should offer free Wi-Fi, opinions are divided among social media users.
TikTok creators joined the conversation by sharing their thoughts on the cafe’s Wi-Fi packages.
“Without paying we cannot exist,” commented one user.
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“SITTING ON A SUBSCRIPTION BASE,” another TikTok account shared.
The West Village cafe offers three financing plans: a daily pass for $10, a monthly membership for $30 and an annual membership for $300. (Sidnye Unger/@sidnyenikole / Fox News)
“This is why libraries will always be the best public space,” wrote one social media user.
While some people viewed this policy as a form of “late capitalism,” others supported the store.
“Fantastic because I hate stumbling into a small cafe to hang out/try out their space and every table has full-blown conference calls going on like they’re in a boardroom,” commented one TikTok user.
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“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind. Some cafes near me have people setting up multiple monitors for hours and all they pay for it is a $4 drink. Makes sense in busy/small places,” wrote another user.
“The better solution to this (and what many popular restaurants already do…) is to set a time limit on seating. About 1-2 hours maximum per table or seat,” one user shared.
A New York café sparked a debate among its customers after they saw the prices for using its Wi-Fi. (Sidnye Unger/@sidnyenikole; iStock / iStock)
Per Diem, a New York-based company that helps companies create branded mobile apps for restaurants, cafes and more, said that providing free Wi-Fi to customers “has become standard for most cafes these days.”
“For New York locations, it’s essentially required. Offering these amenities, especially in a city where many live in small apartments, encourages telecommuters and students to visit the cafe frequently and stay longer, increasing revenue,” wrote Per Diem in a case study on laptop-friendly cafes.
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Unger said that in an increasingly digital world, cafes have become places where people like to hang out, work or relax.
“In NYC, our apartments are not big enough to always work from home or have an extra room,” she said via email.
“If I’m paying $8 or more for a coffee, it’s really hard to justify paying more to use my own computer,” Unger added.
