So I move to California and try to get my Internet connection set up to start working immediately (I work from home), and and the Verizon customer service rep tells me it will be up by the time I get there. Not even close... so I'm scrambling, looking for a place nearby where I can sit all day, be online for free, and have conversations on the phone if needed.
This is the place - I was here every morning for a week (I was working part-time at first) and got to know the place and Trish (its owner/operator) pretty well. They have great coffee (strong - I was a particular fan of the au lait) and good baked goods, although I don't think they're baked on premises. Their smoothies are tasty too, although I don't know if they use fresh fruit.
The real reason to come, though, is for the atmosphere - Trish has a wonderful and varied musical collection that she loves to share and talk about, from classical to Venezuelan dance tunes to electronica to jazz.
I was there for hours every day, and there was no pressure to order more than I wanted. It was rarely empty, but never crowded, although Trish says it gets pretty busy around 7-8 am on weekdays and on weekend evenings around movie times. I was not the only one treating this place like a second living room - I saw a parade of regulars come through, and Trish greeted each by name. (Newcomers got the same friendly attention.) Friends came to meet there, play one of the many available board games. Others came and read the paper (LA Times and NY Times both available daily). And if you do have to work, the wi-fi is free with a drink (no time limit!).
I didn't even become aware of the one thing I'd possibly warn some people against until the end of my time there, when the Republican mayor of Ontario stopped by, and Trish told me (after he left) that it's a bit of a hangout for the local GOP. I'm still trying to figure out the politics of this area, but I understand that it's pretty firmly in the red column, California's overall liberal politics and the profusion of colleges & immigrants notwithstanding. Apparently during campaign season, the shop becomes something of a hotbed of political activity for the local Republicans. But if Trish hadn't told me, I would never have guessed. We didn't get into my politics (which tend rather in the other direction).
It's very convenient to the multiplex nearby (it's right at North Mountain and the I-10), so stop by if you fancy some coffee or a piece of cake before or after the movies, or anytime you're around. Tell Trish that Greg says hi... and feel free to "out" me as a leftie to her, if you like.
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