By Mwiza Kalisa
Some coffee shops provide Wi-Fi to customers for free, but Fremont Coffee Company is trying something different.
Last year the company introduced a Wi-Fi code system that lasts up to three hours. Despite the time limit, the system is working well for the company and its Wi-Fi users.
Assistant Manager Brandon Mills says that the current passcode system is reliable. “I know there are things, like support, that go along with the system we have which is helpful,” he said. “If there’s ever a problem, there are people to get a hold of to ensure that our customers are happy and connected.”
The company has gone through three different Wi-Fi systems. In previous years customers could purchase a four-hour passcode which was administered by the coffee shop. At one point free Wi-Fi was provided to the neighborhood, but many customers complained about the poor service. “It crashed all the time and there wasn’t anything we could do about it,” Mills said. “Now it’s a better system all together.”
Grady Lemoine, a PhD student at UW, has seen the company go though the three systems over the years. Lemoine, who is a regular, typically spends 2 to 3 hours at the coffee shop. “This is the one that has worked best of the three,” he said. “It’s a small price to pay for Wi-Fi that is reliable.” When Lemoine goes over the three hours he says that the baristas are happy to provide a new code.
Caffé Vita, Starbucks and Caffé Ladro are among coffee shops that offer Wi-Fi with a purchase. “People like that we have Wi-Fi, it fills up quickly,” said Holly Walter, manager of Caffé Vita. Some have gone to different lengths to use the Wi-Fi service. Although it doesn’t happen often Walter says there are days when people pull up in their cars. “It’s like going to a restaurant and [only] ordering water,” she said.
“We’re here to make good coffee,” Walter added. “Internet is a bonus.”
Photo: Mwiza Kalisa
4 responses so far ↓
1 whiskeypony // Sep 27, 2011 at 5:58 pm
it’s true! great coffee! decent internet! now all they need are some longer hours and something - ANYTHING - tasty to snack on, and then i’ll be happy to spend gobs of money there.
there’s a reason lladro thrives across the street.
2 Tina // Sep 27, 2011 at 8:23 pm
I’m not a big fan of the change at Fremont Coffee Co. when it comes to wifi - it’s cumbersome and slightly annoying to be randomly kicked off in the middle of sending a file.
(I know, I know it’s free - BUT let’s face it - it’s about marketing and if they didn’t offer it I wouldn’t spend time there - so it’s not really “a bonus” - it’s simply smart business)
They do make GREAT coffee, though (arguably the best in town) and it’s a lovely remote office.
Oh, I’d also spend a lot more time there if they served better food - a savory pie or something? Just sayin…
3 Steve // Sep 28, 2011 at 12:10 am
Cool…it’s something we’ve been doing here in coffee chains for many years. It works well and keeps table turn and loyalty up!
4 Shawn // Sep 30, 2011 at 5:54 pm
I don’t go to Fremont Coffee Company for free wifi. It’s my fave coffee joint because the staff kicks ass, the coffee’s great, and Chris Webb is a good neighbor and really supports the neighborhood. WiFi IS a bonus. If you’re really cheap, the library has unlimited free wifi and you won’t be taking up a spot in my favorite coffee shop.
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