Work Camping in C’ville: A Coffeehouse Review
One day last week, I had several meetings around town, with appointments in between and therefore “camped” during and between connections with real, live C’villians. The result of this day? My entire caloric intake was from a variety of coffees and at day’s end had a caffiene-infused bloodstream.
Workcamping v. To stake out at coffeehouses with free or at least available wifi and work on a laptop until forced to leave by circumstances beyond one’s control.
Charlottesville Coffeehouses in which I’ve Worked: A Review
Java Java (downtown)
Wifi: Free and consistent
Coffee: Good. Try the Chai.
Food: Not really worth mentioning but dude, they have homemade Pop-Tarts.
Workability: Not bad. JJ is generally quiet but outlets are limited.
Atmosphere: Love the paint colors and the small alcove; quite cozy.
Parking: None.
Restroom: N/A — they have one; never been there.
C’ville Coffee
Wifi: Iffy but free.
Coffee: Good but not remarkable.
Food: Good. Try the honey bunches for a small treat.
Workability: Can be crowded and outlets are few. Early mornings are generally quiet. C’ville Coffee is where a lot of business happens in town so be prepared to see someone you know and to chat.
Atmosphere: The adults only area is a good hangout but C’ville Coffee is popular with moms and kids. Sometimes the place just has a hint of eau de dirty diaper.
Parking: Can be crowded especially mid-day; limited to 90 minutes, but free.
Restroom: Ew. No thanks. They have them but I’ve not been there. The high kid traffic keeps me from believing it would be pleasant.
Panera at Hollymead Town Center and Barracks Road
Wifi: Free, mostly reliable.
Coffee: Unremarkable chain restaurant variety coffee.
Food: Good but oh lardy, I’m sick of it.
Workability: Early morning or late afternoon only; otherwise overcrowded and loud. Outlets are few but findable.
Atmosphere: Barracks — tables and booths are crammed together. Hollymead — much more pleasant and spacious; love the fireplace area. Bonus: outdoor seating when weather permits.
Parking: Barracks — difficult but free. Hollymead — plentiful and free.
Restroom: Reliably clean.
Shenandoah Joe’s
Wifi: Iffy but free.
Coffee: The best in town, beans are roasted on site.
Food: Who cares? See “Coffee.” I believe there are some pastries if really necessary.
Workability: Possible. I like the bar with the outlets.
Atmosphere: Pleasant but this place is popular any time of day. It may be tough to jockey for a good work spot.
Parking: Free but not plentiful.
Restroom: Unisex and actually lovely.
Mudhouse, downtown
Wifi: Yes and free.
Coffee: Quite good.
Food: Sweets. Try a shot of goo or a brownie. Not both.
Workability: Not so much. Mudhouse is often crowded and the tables are too close together. The music is often too loud for good concentration.
Atmosphere: Groovy and European wannabe. Interesting art shows.
Parking: Downtown. None. Duh.
Restroom: Ask for the key. That much I know; I’ve never been.
Starbucks at Hollymead, Berkmar and Pantops
Wifi: T-Mobile. Not free. Boooo!
Coffee: Consistent, expected, expensive.
Food: Meh. Try a cuffin (n. a cupcake disguised as a muffin).
Workability: Hollymead, yes, always. Berkmar, not in the morning. Pantops, not for most of the day — the seating area is crowded and cramped, even without people.
Atmosphere: Starbucky (adj. self congratulating coffee experience overindulged with mermaid-branded status. Wear your pink polo shirt with the collar UP.)
Parking: Yep. Dangerous at Berkmar (I’ve witnessed several near collisions) but free and available at all three.
Restroom: Generally clean and acceptable.
In summary, my coffeehouse choices are largely affected by geography, landing near where I need to be or wherever the next or previous meeting is scheduled. Given the free choice scenario, though, I’d choose Java Java to get some serious work done, C’ville Coffee for schmoozing networking opportunities and Shenandoah Joe’s for yummy coffee and to feel somewhat hip.
Where do you like to workcamp in Charlottesville?
January 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I would love to workcamp. Sigh. Stupid office hours.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Actually, the bathrooms at C’ville Coffee are gorgeous and clean, although there is that whiff of dirty diaper at times. And I don’t trust the locks on the doors. Oh well. And if you’re willing to walk a bit, you can park for an unlimited time in the nether reaches of that complex’s myriad of lots. Just keep driving back.
Workcamp–I like that word. I’ll sometimes do it at C’ville Coffee, but I feel a need to branch out more. La Tasa is the logical choice for me because it’s so close. Or I might try Shenandoa Joe’s. Mudhouse is too crowded.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Java Java rocks.
But I do have to say it has plenty of parking - it’s just next door in a parking garage. I am not sure if the validate, but plenty of other businesses do. Certainly more convenient to park then C-Ville Coffee.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Even though I work only at home, I’ve never workcamped anywhere. In fact, I don’t think it’s ever occurred to me to do so.