Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-24
SnecessfuI Cofee Houses.

The Success of the Savannah Coffee House
has been heretofore noted, and has been
deeply gratifying to the originators of the
enterprise. The following account Of the
plan upon which the New York coffee
houses are conducted win be read with
general interest, and may furnish some sug-
gestions to the. managers of the cafe In this
city 1t is from the New York correspond
ent of the Charleston Meas and Courier,
who, speaking OF coffee houses, says:
"Our experience in New York has been
entirely successful, and must encourage
other cities to take up the good WORK. The
work has been done here by regularly or
ganized company, the New York Coffee
House Company (limited), with a capital of
$50, 900, only half of which has been called
in for use. The equipment of the two
houses now in operation cost about 81, 600
and the rest Is used In running the bust
ness. M. K. Jesup, the banker, to whom
most OF the credit Of the scheme belongs.
long ago become convinced that IL the
workingman was to be enticed from
liquor 1t would not be by ser
mons unaided by any substitute
for liquor. In New York all our labor
ers go to their work with their dinner
pals, and when nooA comes, instead of sit
ting on the curbstones, they go to the near
est saloons where warm fire and hot drinks
enable them to take their dinners in com
fort. Ten tents ensures for them the hospi-
talitiee of the saloon, which almost every
one will admit is for them a necessity at
noontime. Then In the evening crying chill
dren and scolding wives drive tired men to
the comfortable saloons, as much for quiet
as for liquor. The Coffee House Company
does away with the laberer's necessity for
going to saloons. Every one is welcome with
his dinner pail In the coffee house restaurant.
Food Is warmed and pleasant seat at a pol
ished table and cup of hot coffee is fur
nished for four cents. Above the restaurant
is a suite OF rooms entirely devoted to the
public's use, but chiefly intended for
patrons of the restaurant. One room Is for
chess, checkers and dominoes; another is
for reading, and is provided with all the
city and many out-of-town newspapers,
given by Hoe 81 Co., the press makers, be-
side library of good books. Smoking is
allowed, and a piano is provided for the en-
tertaiDments given once a week by friends
OF the enterprise. The prices charged for food
are lower than the cheapest restaurants,
but as no more than four or five per
centum is wanted on the capital, the food is
excellent In quality and well cooked. There
are two OF these houses already established
since last June, and others will be organized
just as soon as good sites can be found.
MIR. Jesup says that when he finds an inter.
section of streets, the four corners of which
are occupied by liquor saloons, he wants one
of those corners for coffee house. Not
withstanding the large part of the coffee
house which pays no return, the two houses
have paid expenses, and next year will yield
the return of five per cent. expected of
them. Both the houses are overcrowded,
and need more room than they have. An
extension of the work is to be the peddling
Of hot coffee among the tenement houses
in the early morning at prices lower than
the poor can make it for themselves. This
will help poor women along. The buying
for the houses is done for cash at whole
sale, and, as soon as possible, cooked food
win be sold by the pound or ration to per-
sons who want to take 1t home with them"