I’ve written about this before, but apparently some messages need repeating. Kind of like those software updates your computer keeps asking you to install. Except this one involves caffeine and the survival of your neighborhood.
If you use your local coffee house as an escape office, a place to read, a spot to meet friends, or simply somewhere to hide from the people in your own home for an hour, you really need to support the place that gives you that sanctuary.
And by support, I mean actually buy something.
I know. Radical concept.
Your laptop doesn’t pay the rent.
Small businesses don’t operate on good vibes, complimentary Wi-Fi and the occasional customer saying, “I just love what you’ve done with the place!”
They have rent, electricity, payroll, insurance, supplies and equipment that occasionally decides to die at the most financially inconvenient moment possible. Because apparently espresso machines have a sixth sense for detecting an owner’s bank balance.
Let’s say a coffee shop needs to sell 30 cups of coffee an hour at $5 each just to break even. That’s $150 in hourly sales, and that’s before we assume anything about the shop’s actual expenses, other products or profit margins. Every business has different numbers, but the point remains: looking busy doesn’t necessarily mean making money.
As I sit here writing this, I’ve been in the shop for an hour. I’ve bought a couple of coffees. I’m looking around at a room that’s about half full, and I haven’t seen anyone else make a purchase during that time.
People are enjoying the space, but the cash register appears to be having a very quiet afternoon.
And that’s disappointing.
Not because everyone needs to spend a fortune, but because we seem to have forgotten that these businesses are not public libraries with cappuccino machines.
The Wi-Fi is free. The business expenses are not.
Philly’s coffee houses are part of what makes Philly Philly.
One of the things I love about Philadelphia is the variety of independent coffee shops scattered throughout the city.
Each has its own personality.
Some are dark and quiet, perfect for reading, writing or contemplating why you agreed to that meeting.
Others are bright and airy, with music playing and enough conversation to make you feel like you’ve accidentally joined a neighborhood social club.
Some have fantastic tea selections for those who don’t drink coffee. Yes, these people exist. We allow them to live among us.
I choose where to go depending on my mood. Sometimes I want peace and quiet. Other times, I want a little background noise and the opportunity to talk with people.
And if you know me, you know that the second option can be dangerous for anyone who only planned to say hello. My conversations occasionally come with bonus material.
That’s part of the charm.
Independent coffee houses reflect the neighborhoods they serve. You meet different people, hear different perspectives, discover local stories and sometimes have a conversation that makes your day a little better.
You don’t get that same neighborhood personality from every corporate franchise serving coffee in a cup that looks like it was designed by a committee.
Small businesses help give our neighborhoods their character. They create places where people can gather, connect and feel part of something beyond their own four walls.
And when they close, we lose more than another place to buy caffeine.
We lose a little piece of the community.
So here’s my challenge to Philadelphia.
The next time you head to your favorite local coffee house, buy something.
Get a coffee. Order tea. Grab a pastry. Buy something to take home.
If you’re going to sit there for several hours using the space, consider making another purchase. You don’t have to bankrupt yourself to support a small business, but you should recognize that the place you’re enjoying has bills to pay.
And if you can’t afford to buy anything that day, that’s understandable. Just remember that these businesses need paying customers to survive.
Tell your friends about the place. Leave a thoughtful review. Recommend it to someone looking for a new spot.
Small gestures can help.
Most importantly, don’t wait until the shop closes to announce on social media how much you loved it.
“So sad this place is closing! I came here every week!”
Yes. And apparently bought one coffee in 2024.
We should be celebrating these businesses while they’re still open, not holding a memorial service for their espresso machines.
So get out of the house. Take a break from your laptop. Put your phone down occasionally. Meet a friend, strike up a conversation or simply enjoy being somewhere different.
Support the independent coffee houses that help make our neighborhoods special.
Because a city isn’t just its buildings, roads and parking regulations that seem to have been designed by someone who has never driven in Philadelphia.
A city is its people, its gathering places and the small businesses that bring them together.
Let’s do our part to keep those places around.
And if you happen to see me in one of them, feel free to say hello.
Just be warned: the coffee might be finished before the conversation.
Ciao! 😃☕️
