Had an interesting exchange a while back at a Dunn Bros in an upscale Minneapolis neighborhood. After completing an interview with a subject at her restaurant, the subject gave me some food in a small package to sample. I had some time to kill between the interview and my next gig, a massive press junket involving custom motorcycle aficionados, loud music, chaps—all an occasional day in the life for me. Anyway, I wandered into a Dunn Bros down the street to type up my notes and grab a drink before I had to jump back in the car.
Now, I had the package in my hand. I was hungry. I realize that eating food not from the establishment you’re in isn’t cool, so I bought an Italian soda and a chocolate covered graham cracker to the tune of about $4.25, and deposited the change in the tip jar.
Some history: I frequent the Dunn Bros on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. There’s a Breadsmith three doors down that has many tasty treats. Many Dunn customers wander in with their Breadsmith treat, buy their coffee or espresso drink, sit down, drink and eat. I follow this same procedure. The owners at that Dunn Bros don’t seem to care that many people opt for Breadsmith fare rather the cookies and sweets offered under glass.
Still, there is etiquette, and people do buy at least a coffee if they’re going to take up space in the store.
Back to my snack. So, I’m sitting there, having just handed five bucks to the guy at the counter for my drink and dessert. Unpack computer—one of the many laptops cracked open in there. I start typing. Sip my drink. Munch the food sample. A guy walks up to me. “Next time, we don’t allow food and drink from another establishment in here,” he said. “We are a restaurant after all.”
I politely explained my reason for the food, and also noted that I purchased the dessert and the drink. It was by no means a rude exchange, but inwardly, I have to admit, it got my dander up a bit.
When I think of a “restaurant,” Dunn Bros, as much as I enjoy their product, does not enter my mind. Neither does any other coffee shop. Now, if I walk into Lucia’s take-out joint with my own sandwich and take a seat, that’s a definite no-no. But in many urban neighborhoods where there’s a coffee shop, it isn’t uncommon to find a shop serving delectables on the same block. What’s the problem of one helping out the other, both drawing business to each other? Huh? Huh?
I am going to have to agree with you there. Coffee shops are not restaurants. If I ever bring something from outside the establishment I always purchase something so if a barista were to reprimand me, I'd be pretty ruffled as well.
Posted by: Oxen Cox | January 20, 2009 at 01:17 PM
Oh my. That would have frustrated me. Let me guess... Linden Hills?
Posted by: Hilary | January 23, 2009 at 02:21 PM