Published: Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2009 / Updated: Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2009 01:40 PM
Fort Mill's high-tech coffee house breaks tradition
Nerd Net Cafe, a new Fort Mill coffee house, is serving up some java with its java.
The business, anchored just off Gold Hill Road, fixes computers and offers customers so much more.
"Often you have to sit and wait for repairs," customer Tom Dougherty of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus said as he searched the Internet on his laptop. "Here, I can sit down for coffee and get a BLT breakfast sandwich on an English muffin.
"This is the wave of the future," he added. "This is where coffee houses are going."
The cafe, located just off I-77 at 855 Gold Hill Road, suite 101, had its grand opening Monday. It provides in-store computer repairs as well as in-home computer support, owner Christopher Davis said.
But there's more.
Need to send a fax or copy a document? Hunting for computer software, books or magazines? Want to zap off an e-mail or eyeball your favorite soap opera on the run? Patrons can get those services and more, Davis said.
"This is a hotspot computer cafe, said Davis, formerly a Best Buy area sales manager, who was partly responsible for successful launch of the Geek Squad in both Carolinas. "It's similar to what you'd find on the West coast."
But it's in Fort Mill.
Customers also can connect with eBay through the cafe for consignment auction services and eventually interactive gaming tournaments will be featured, Davis said. Patrons also can peek at a large baseball card selection.
"Truly a nerdy concept for anyone who is a nerd," Davis quipped.
While enjoying coffee or breakfast, lunch or dinner, customers can surf the Internet at one of three computers. That service and wi-fi is provided for free. Two nights a month, customers also can attend free software or video editing classes. Individualized training also is available at cost.
The cafe's diverse concept is a hit with customers.
"My computer at home is on the fritz," said Tega Cay's Pat Pettengill. "Can't get work done at home, but I can come in here and get online and access my e-mail."
Ryan Harmening of Fort Mill also couldn't find fault with the cafe.
"It's pretty awesome," he said about the cafe while surfing the Internet. "I can grab some food, get online and get my computer fixed if I need to. It's pretty diverse."
Days before a Columbia-based Ringling Bros. event kicked off, Dougherty worked his laptop at the cafe.
"It's unique," he said. "It has its own energy. It's innovative."
Computer repair and basic diagnostic services start at $29.95 while breakfast, lunch and dinner prices range from $5 to $15.
Cafe hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. To schedule a software class or book your reading club's next gathering, call Christopher Davis at 547-6373.
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