Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Tumblr photo of “Asheville’s best latte” at Waking Life by Elaine Bleakney
Wish we’d thought of this! A knowing, insider’s take on the best local coffeeshops to sit, mooch refills/wi-fi and work. Who’s got a good signal, refills and low noise? Local freelancer Elaine Bleakney knows.
From a “micro-guide” from her Tumblr:
If you’re a freelancer like me, it can be tricky to find a high-quality, endless cup of joe + free wi-fi + comfortable workspace in Beer City, USA. Here’s a micro-guide to the ups and downs of some of our local java spots:
Waking Life. The wi-fi connection is as solid as their artisanal espresso drinks, and the tables are well-spaced. Usually dotted with other freelancers during the week. Ambient indie music. If you’re a one-cup kind of worker and dig very bright minimalist spaces, this is the place for you. Drawback: juice up on power before you go, as sockets are hard to come by, or sit on one of the couches up front to plug in.
Edna’s. If you go, go early. The place fills up with retiree conversations quick, and getting a table on the periphery is key. Skip the pastry parade and order one of the drip offerings—but beware, the grande is GRANDE. You get one 50 cent refill. And if you’re allergic to early 90’s pop: Edna’s is not for you.
Greenlife. Oh Whole Foods. You have a ridiculous paywall for wi-fi, your CEO recently called Obamacare a fascist policy, and then there’s this. I adore my cup of Dynamite so I suggest you take your business up to them in Black Mountain or down the street to High Five Coffee.
Great info! Read the whole thing here.
hey now! i bought like six 6×2 surge adapters to make sure everybody in the shop can plug stuff up. there’s reasonable access to a plug at pretty much every seat, although a couple outlets are behind things and out of sight. if you can’t find one, ask and we’ll locate it. thanks for the mention though – i try to accommodate daytime workers as much as possible.
waking life has the most legit, awesome coffee in town for sure, delicious pour overs, and I had a drink with ginger and cocoa, called “Q’s tears” (i think) that was superb, wish it was a tad closer to downtown but if youre on the west side its perfect. Edna’s is awful to the max, their coffee is way over extracted and burnt, im sure its a fine place and I know they have food and wine but if you want good coffee it is not the place
Hmmmm. . . I’ve always thought one of the joys of freelancing is getting to work at home in my grubbies, drink as much coffee as I want at cheaper prices than a coffeehouse (I roast and grind my own beans), and I don’t have to listen anyone’s conversation or music.
Hey, Mr.McAnsh, can I wear pajamas and a bathrobe at your place? Are there places to take a nap?
Don’t get me wrong – I love Edna’s, Waking Life, Green Sage, High 5 … but If you’re kind of OVER the idea of “coffee shop as office” and want to be really productive with your freelance work … come get FREE coffee or tea a Mojo Coworking.
This is such a fun read! Thanks Elaine!