Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinally, an in-depth expose about Beanstock on Salem St. not taking debit cards!
OK, it’s not really about Beanstock not taking debit cards. Today’s issue of the Boston Business Journal examines the difference in tipping between Beanstock’s High St. location (which takes cards) and the Salem St. location (which doesn’t).
As daily customers of the “The Bean,” we’ve often seen the person in front of us pull out the plastic only to be rebuffed. Usually if Tony’s at the counter, he’ll generously tell you to “get him next time,” and other times customers are sent across the street to the [insert generic bank name here] ATM. The look of horror on their face as they look back at the long line of caffeine-deficient young professionals is comical. Real North Enders know that Beanstock is just like Randy Moss: “Straight Cash Homey.”
We over at Hanover & Prince have actually never made it over to the High St. location, but we fully admit to being serial debit card users, and wouldn’t protest if the Salem St. location went debit. Let’s face it, sometimes after a night out you just don’t have enough cash on hand for a bacon egg and cheese, large coffee and Sunday Boston Globe. But, if it means the Salem St. employees get more in tips, then so be it. Anyone who’s been in there on a fall Sunday knows they work their asses off catering to Suffolk grad students, 80-year-old North End lifers and everyone in between.
So, Salem St. Beanstock, keep that free Wi-Fi coming, and we’ll keep a fat wad of cash on hand at all times.
In addition to debit cards, I think it would be awesome if Beanstock offered some sort of coffee club addict card. Buy 10 get one free or something like that. Their prices have increased and they now out price Starbucks so I would think its doable.