NSR: how to discourage coffee-shop customers

[Stig / Major Tom]

Springfield, OH has 5 privately owned (non-"franchise") coffee shops.
And every single one of them - should customers wish to linger over a coffee and pastry - has THE most uninviting, unwelcoming, uncomfortable seating imaginable!

OK, when you're first starting the business - I can understand the temptation to buy cheap tin chairs and stools (Horrible things!) to furnish your shop. But - I wonder, perhaps it is intentional. "Keep the people moving back out the door!"
This morning my daughter and I stopped downtown for coffee and pastry after her night shift at the hospital. And once again, looking around at our options - we ended up sitting in the Silverado with our breakfast!


Pastry/Deli shop, child-sized tins


Winan's a few doors down has the "stool" version of these hideous things. Note the 'charging' outlets---as though someone could perch that long on the stool.



 Dino's, The Underdog Cafe' and the Spirited Goat coffee shops in Y.S. have, as is traditional -  wholly mismatched and/or homemade chairs, tables and couches. Every piece of which is very comfortable - inviting customers to linger, socialize, lap-top, or read the free daily newspapers (NY Times, etc.).
The Underdog is often referred to as the Village's Living Room.

People DO sit and socialize some at the Springfield coffee shops - but it is at a price to their backs and butts!

Stig

[Neil955i]

You're right, it IS a strange business model!

[Iahawk]

seems like they are following the MacDonalds seating plan...uncomfortable after 10 minutes, on purpose...to keep people moving! But a coffee shop? You'd think lingering would be desirable!?

[randyo]

a few year back, I went to visit my granddaughter at college, on the way back, we stopped at a little hole in wall restaurant in Saranac Lake, NY, food was good, but seating was horrible, several "stand at" tables, no stools, one corner booth (where we sat) furniture made from pallets, table was coffee table height, and not exactly flat, chairs were pallet furniture too, too tall, the most uncomfortable eating experience I ever had. Swore we'd never go back,

come forward in time to my granddaughter's graduation, told her we'd take her out to eat, wherever she wants. Yup, you guessed it, that little hole in wall restaurant.  Food was good though.

[Mancashire]

There is one non-Starbucks per community locally with 10-15 mile separation. As per usual, you can find a ST on nearly every block. Since COVID, 90% of seating has vanished, replaced with drive up window as preferred mode of obtaining your caffeine. Those tin abominations and stools look inviting by comparison.