I'm moving to Old City near 2nd & Race at the beginning of April. Where are the best places to go for a good cup of coffee with a nice place to sit. And preferably with free internet?

You've got a few choices.

Cafe Ole at 3rd and Quarry, although I haven't been in there much since it ceased being Quarry Street Cafe. And, the ubiquitous Starbucks at 3rd and Arch.

But, if you want to be part of the neighborhood, head for Old City Cafe on Church Street (between 2nd and 3rd). Sit there all day and use their wi-fi, and half the neighborhood (at least the old timers) will come by.

We shun Starbucks.

And welcome to PB and welcome to Old City.

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

Thanks. I'll definitely try and be part of the neighborhood. I've always hated starbucks so don't worry there. I'd much rather support some little mom and pop coffee shop then starbuck's crap.

Old City Coffee isn't just another mom and pop.

It's somewhat of a neighborhood institution. Also, they roast their own. OC Coffee has another location at the Reading Terminal Market (12th and Arch), another place you will have to haunt.

I miss it dreadfully.

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

If you find yourself south of Market, Double Shots is a cozy new place on Chestnut & Strawberry Sts., with free internet and live music on weekend nights.

"WE shun Starbucks"? Who the hell is WE? Why do you continue to do that? You don't live in Old City, or even close to it, and lots of people that DO actually live there go to Starbucks and like it.

Stop the elitist bs already.

Another place that serves Old City brew is Juliana's on the east side of Passyunk and Cross Street -- just above Tasker.

Shunning Starbucks has nothing to do with elitism. Rather, it is more about being a little more indie in spirit.

Sure people like Starbucks, but then again people also like Applebee's. There's no accounting for taste.

An independent coffee shop just has more character, personality, what-have-you than the ubiquitous (& devoid of personality) coffee giant.

Mind you, there is nothing wrong if you like Starbucks. Whatever your cup of tea is (or coffee in this case), go with it.

I have to agree with chris and mja. Patronizing the independent business or the little guy is in no way "elitism." It's a step in the right direction toward reestablishing community too.

I am a consumer like all of you. I buy things; food, drinks, music, clothes, etc. And like all of you, I buy products that I like.

I do not buy a lesser product simply because someone that could be a Mom or a Pop is selling it instead of a larger company. That is NOT to say that (insert coffee shop name) is a "lesser" product than Starbucks, that is a matter of opinion. In many peoples opinion, Starbucks is better. People like it, or they wouldn't exist.

My issue is with Chris saying "WE shun Starbucks", with the assumption being that WE is 'the people in/around old city'. In case people missed this... HE DOES NOT LIVE THERE, and he sure as hell doesn't represent the people who do. In fact, he has very little in common with the people who populate Old City and the people whos consumer dollars keep Old City businesses running.

FACT = people in old city like starbucks enough to go there and pay them

Let's pretend for one minute that Chris went all the way to old city when he wanted a cup of coffee... he can go to any little coffee shop he wants, and that STILL has nothing to do with any big "we" shunning Starbucks. No one is shunning Starbucks. They didn't get to be Starbucks by everyone preferring other coffee shops, let's be realistic here.