I want to open a restaurant and cocktail lounge called The Public Library, with the exact same rules and book selection.
(This idea spurred by my old age and every single place we go these days being TOO LOUD)
@patrickrhone When I was an undergrad in the 1970s in Ames, IA, there was a bar near campus called "The Library". When parents called the roommate could always truthfully say "he's at the library."
@patrickrhone At some point in the 16 years I spent attending or working at UNC, there was a bar called The Library on the main drag. I don't think it was like this.
@patrickrhone Can you sell coffee during the day and drinks late afternoon to the evening? I could then just hang out there all day!
@matthewlang well, since this is more about noise levels than anything else, the problem with most coffee shops is the roasting and grinding and steaming, and other loud contraptions. Not so much the patrons who are mostly single individuals working on laptops quietly these days. So remove all the contraptions and one can already have that place.
@matthewlang So, perhaps the answer is, yes. We can serve coffee during the day. But it is only drip or pour over with pre-ground beans, and water boiled quietly on a stove top.
@patrickrhone This is a great idea. A few thoughts:
Location would be really important, especially regarding urban vs. suburban, type of neighborhood, streetfront or not, managing takeout traffic in peak hours, and proximity to pre-existing libraries and bookstores.
I like the quiet idea, but you would need to make some calls on silence or what type of background music. I already frequent a music-less coffee place in Union Station in Toronto that feels like an oasis in a sea of people. It serves pourover with freshly ground beans (also the option of pourover or tea), but I think the burr grinder is dampened so it isn't that loud. They have a small book collection, but also specialize in Italian baked stuff. No seats in the actual store, with a few standup tables outside. The staff are trained to foster conversation with customers, which is how they develop bonds and get repeat customers. The only thing I don't like about this place is that I can't spend any time there sitting and reading.
There are some reading-focused cafes in Toronto that are worth a look.
@patrickrhone Another thought. If you were to go with library rules in the cafe, you could save on music licensing fees, which could be a selling point.
@patrickrhone What a fantastic idea. I for one would undoubtedly spend (un)healthy amounts of time in a place like that.