Baton Rouge Coffee Shops: The 3rd Workplace

All over town, Baton Rouge movers and shakers can often be found during the workday at various coffee shops. In the age of wireless internet, it has become more and more common to be able to work from home; however, many people have found this to be distracting. As such, they have sought out other places where the can work, network, and even play a bit, all the while not being pressured to do the dishes. Consequently, the corner coffee shop is quickly emerging as the third most common office-away-from-the-office for local professionals.

Coffee shops can be divided into three categories: international/national chains, regional chains, and independents. International chains, such as Starbucks, provide patrons with consistency of products, which many people find comforting. For instance, while in Japan this year, I noticed a banana-flavored coffee special, which I assumed to be regional to the Asian market. However, when I returned to the Starbucks in Towne Center, they had the same unusual flavor. This kind of consistency builds a steady client base all over the world. At that same Starbucks one late afternoon, for example, patrons' ages ranged from young children in school uniforms to folks discussing the benefits of retirement. People were working, socializing and planning an upcoming political campaign.