Sip and Surf was the dream of some tech-conscious young person, attempting--and failing--to drag Union Block into the 21st century. It occupies a converted storefront near the south side of Union Park, its faded awning advertising coffee and internet with equal optimism.
Inside, the space is narrow and dim, lit by mismatched lamps and the blue glow of aging monitors. The Wi-Fi is notoriously slow, prone to dropping without warning, and the handful of public computers--clunky, large, and installed as late as the Reagan Administration--are frequently marked Out of Order or Down for Maintenance.
Despite all of that, the café stays busy.
The coffee is strong, cheap, and surprisingly good. A chipped chalkboard behind the counter lists daily specials no one ever bothers with, written in uneven handwriting. A battered radio plays low behind the hum of fans. People linger here: students pretending to study, job seekers refreshing applications, regulars stopping in for their first cup of the day before a long shift.
There’s always an open seat. If you don’t mind sharing an outlet.
Inside, the space is narrow and dim, lit by mismatched lamps and the blue glow of aging monitors. The Wi-Fi is notoriously slow, prone to dropping without warning, and the handful of public computers--clunky, large, and installed as late as the Reagan Administration--are frequently marked Out of Order or Down for Maintenance.
Despite all of that, the café stays busy.
The coffee is strong, cheap, and surprisingly good. A chipped chalkboard behind the counter lists daily specials no one ever bothers with, written in uneven handwriting. A battered radio plays low behind the hum of fans. People linger here: students pretending to study, job seekers refreshing applications, regulars stopping in for their first cup of the day before a long shift.
There’s always an open seat. If you don’t mind sharing an outlet.
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