searching for strong’s

strong’s was a laidback coffee shop on franklin street with good music, decent sandwiches, and wireless internet from campus that reached into the front half of the building. i spent countless hours there during grad school, people-watching and computer hacking. however it went out of business months ago (all i’ve heard is that they weren’t making enough money), and now it’s being remodeled and renamed the jack sprat cafe.

tonight, after visiting the bickett gallery in raleigh with jane, i was doing some proactive reminiscing, thinking about the wireless internet cafe i would create. and i realized i was creating something largely based on my memories of strong’s (both positive and negative):

  • free, open, strong wireless internet (the campus signal was neither open nor strong)
  • liberally distributed power outlets (something weaver street lacks)
  • quality, beautiful lighting fixtures (strong’s were so-so)
  • rotating displays of art for sale on the walls
  • solid chairs (strong’s chairs sucked)
  • several durable couches (ratty slipcovers typified strong’s)
  • solid tables for two that can be combined for groups
  • hardwood flooring
  • good simple food: gourmet/homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, potato chips (like the old oasis deli)
  • beverages: tea, coffee, sparkling water, soda, hot chocolate
  • new music at appropriate volume
  • a blog!
  • clean bathrooms (strong’s needed serious improvement here)
  • large enough space, laid back environment, comfortable temperature, open til midnight
  • within walking distance (caffe driade fails here)
Friday, December 17, 2004 1:32am
General

relatedposts

12 comments

name
blog (optional)
comment
jackie
12/17/04 9:14am

wow, you went to bickett? I’m surprised you found it.

jackie
12/17/04 9:34am

I’d like to respond with my wishes for the perfect movie theater:
Gets the big indie films the weekend they come out, not 6 weeks later

Serves at least 4 microbrews and popcorn with real butter

Has “old theater” ambience with curtains and antique lighting

At least 4 or 5 movies showing at any time

midnight shows available

coffee shop attached (preferably like justin’s)

big enough screens to be worth admission

There are a lot of triangle theaters that I love that have some of these things, but the main thing lacking is the selection and the size together.

Jason
12/17/04 10:33am

Strong’s actually closed?

That makes Jason sad. So very sad.

justin
12/17/04 11:15am

part of this reminiscing was thinking that if i (we) don’t make these places (spaces) happen, no one else will.

Kansas
12/17/04 10:48pm

I know why Strong’s bathrooms were gross.

abe
12/19/04 1:22am

so what’s your plan for making these places (spaces) happen?

robin
12/19/04 8:49pm

I’d add a small corner with toys, away from the serious studying, that the kids could be barricaded in, so their parents can sit down for once and enjoy their coffee.

justin
12/19/04 11:07pm

kansas: ?
abe: i think i’d need to buy/rent such a commerical space and shape it according to these sorts of values. of course i personally, i don’t have any experience running a business all myself, so i’d rather do it as a part of some team. i could help manage the technical and interior design issues. and help with food.

Katie
12/20/04 8:53am

Yeah, you all sound like you want to create a sort of 21st century factory. Like andy warhol and the velvet underground. Like a big space for left wing IT indy kids.

Betsy
12/21/04 5:45pm

sigh. Here you guys are in the Triangle, sad that you don’t have a good coffee shop. Here I am in Sewanee sad that I don’t have the coffee shops that you DO have. We have two: The Blue Chair and Stirling’s. Both have good food, but the service at one totally sucks and the space at the other is too cramped. You can’t have a conversation there without everyone in the joint hearing. But, The Blue Chair’s profits go partially to the Blue Monarch, an organization that helps abused women and children. In fact, a lot of the women who work at the cafe have been helped by the Blue Monarch. There’s another idea for staffing your cafe.

Ruby
12/22/04 12:11am

Sounds good, let me know when you open it - I’ll be there. Meanwhile, Weaver Street (on a warm, sunny day) is an excellent second choice.

justin
12/24/04 1:55am

ruby, i love the weave, and in many ways it has become my post-graduation strong’s (being in walking distance from my apt). but they’ve got to proliferate the power outlets. and of course by they’ve i mean “we’ve” (the owners).

i’ve sent an email to feedback@weaverstreetmarket.coop, but there’s got to be a better way to get in touch with the management/board members.

katie, it never really occured to me to think of “left wing IT indy kids” as compared to, say, the progressive librarian set, but it sure sounds cool.