Productive Third Spaces on the Main Line: Cafes to Visit for Remote Work
If you are the sort of person who enjoys getting work done in coffee shops - you’re in good company! Maybe you have a remote or hybrid job but you occasionally get tired of working from home, or you have a day lined with meetings and need somewhere to stop in the middle and make the most of your down time. No matter the reason, working in the enveloping, cozy atmosphere of a cafe can be a great way to be productive.
Science actually backs that there’s something special about spending time in coffee shops. Studies have shown that the ambient noise of cafes and other public spaces puts your brain into “soft-focus mode” which promotes creative thinking. They provide environments that are stimulating yet controlled, free of the distractions of home, where slowing down is the norm. The presence of others provides a sense of accountability, keeping you motivated and on task. And of course caffeine doesn’t hurt!
Some of our favorite cafes near Auberge include Char and Stave - just a short walk away. If you can picture the platonic ideal of a warm neighborhood coffee shop with ample seating for laptop use, you’ll probably come up with something very close to Ardmore’s Char and Stave location. We love this shop and we’ll never tire of singing their praises! A slightly longer walk or a short drive away is Green Engine Coffee Co. in Haverford, which offers a beautifully decorated, sun-drenched interior with varied seating options, delicious pastries, and healthy sandwich options too. Just a little further down Lancaster Ave, you’ll find La Colombe in Bryn Mawr. La Colombe is a Philadelphia coffee powerhouse. They know their stuff, and this location is no exception. The space blends industrial chic with elegant touches in that classic third wave style, making it a bright and inviting spot to send emails.
Hands down our favorite cafe in the region is Camellia Coffee House in Lansdowne, which is a short drive from Auberge. Started by a competition-winning roaster specializing in sourcing from lesser known coffee-growing regions in Asia, Camellia is the shop to check out if you consider yourself to be a little bit of a coffee snob. Don’t let that scare you off, though! Their staff is always welcoming and happy to educate customers who have questions about their offerings. The shop also includes a separate quiet room for co-working.
Remember to be courteous to the staff and other customers. Sometimes occupying a table for too long can actually impede business. If the shop is packed and all of the tables are taken, consider sharing your table with a stranger, buy an extra treat every hour or so, and avoid staying longer than a few hours. And don’t forget to tip your barista!
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