Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Recharging Batteries Outside Of The Home
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 6, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 6, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The NY Times examined the people who dash into restaurants and cafes to recharge their laptops, cellphones, iPods - you name it - as they try to remain connected and mobile. Many establishments seem to be cool with people free-riding on their electrical bill:
At Jackson Hole, a restaurant on Manhattan's Upper West Side, a regular diner used to plug his laptop into an outlet hidden behind a large framed picture.
"We finally got rid of that painting," said Anna Kalogeras, the restaurant's manager. "We definitely don't have a problem with people coming in using our electricity like that. It makes the place look busy."
Aha! However, at Amy Ruth's in Harlem, one waitress scolded a diner trying to charge up, asking who would pay for it? But one place where everyone sees people with laptops is Starbucks, which seems not to mind, and Gothamist is glad. Anyplace charging $4 for burnt tasting coffee (no matter how addictive it is) should be giving free shoulder rubs as well as electricity.
Where do you charge up when your batteries are running low? Or are you actually very aware of issues like these and carry back-up batteries?
Tagged
Amy Ruth
coffee
gothamist
harlem
manhattan
new york
new york times
ny times
people
restaurants
running
starbucks
technology
The New York
the new york times
The NY
the ny times
Upper West
Upper West Side
west side
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Several arrested in wake of ICE protest where Manhattan man was shot in the neck
Oscar Belgal was in his car with his 5-year-old when ICE agents fired seven shots into the vehicle.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 7:24 a.m. ET
Bronx homeowners facing foreclosure are in the market for assistance
Some are looking for information and legal guidance, but also help clearing worrisome balances.
By
Willow Higgins
News
Bronx homeowners facing foreclosure are in the market for assistance
Some are looking for information and legal guidance, but also help clearing worrisome balances.
By
Willow Higgins
Cornell students warned of fraternity 'rape culture' years before Jane Doe case
By
Walter Wuthmann
ICE agent fires 7 rounds, shoots man in neck in NYC's Marble Hill, NYPD says
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Arya Sundaram
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
By
Liam Quigley
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .