Cafe Paradiso becomes high-tech study haven
Changes at the cafe, like
adding Internet access, are
geared toward making the
shop more student-friendly
By Steven Neuman
Freelance Reporter
It used to be that if people found
themselves downtown on a weeknight,
they were probably just stopping off at
Eugene Station for a bus transfer.
However, with the reopening of
Broadway to traffic in 2002, the
downtown area has shown the first
signs of revitalization. Cafe Paradiso,
long known as an island of culture
and life in a downtown of empty
storefronts, isn't willing to be left in
the dust. As a result, the cafe is chang
ing its weeknight format in an effort
to attract more students downtown
and bring in those looking for a place
to eat and study.
"We're really trying to cater to col
lege students," said Greg Eleener, the
cafe's venue manager.
Eleener, who usually books the cafe's
acts, said it is taking the focus off mid
week concerts with a cover charge.
"’I’he idea is: Create an atmosphere
where students can sit for as long as
they want and study, have some cof
fee, and eat some good food," he said.
Besides coffee, tea and soft drinks,
the cafe serves beer and wine and is
one of Eugene's few music venues that
tries to please crowds both older and
younger than 21.
Paradiso implemented one of its
most recent upgrades specifically for
student patrons: A new wireless net
work system — which lets users tap
into the Internet on their laptops
without the need for wires — will let
students do research from the com
fort of their table. The cafe doesn't
have a final price system set up for
access time yet.
"Right now, if you buy any small
item you get 15 minutes right off the
bat," Fleener said. "If you buy any
type of meal or dinner, which is usu
ally around $6, you get 4 or 5 hours
of access."
The cafe, situated at the corner of
Broadway and Olive Street, features
comfortable chairs and tables, and al
ready serves a full breakfast, lunch and
dinner menu with vegetarian options.
"I love their cookies," senior Moni
ca Blackburn said, "and I love going
down there to study. Sometimes it's
just nice to get off campus for a while;
it gets to the point where you feel like
you're in prison."
Blackburn said she feels the format
change will help keep patrons in the
cafe later.
"I love the great food, love the at
mosphere, but I know I've felt like it
got too noisy in the evenings, because
they were doing a concert and I had to
leave. This (change) is going to be re
ally good in that way," Blackburn said.
The cafe will continue to feature
an open mic night on Tuesday and
Wednesday, as it has been doing for
10 years, but Fleener underscores
that this should not be as disruptive
as live bands.
"Tuesday night will focus on
acoustic musicians, and Wednesday
will focus on spoken word," he said.
Senior general science major Lau
ra Winter thinks the changes are a
good idea, but foresees problems
Cafe Paradiso offers a wide selection
of specialty coffee drinks, snacks and
other treats to customers like Sommer
Whitmarsh (below), who come to enjoy
the live music on Friday nights.
Jessica Waters Photo Editor
i«n i —!-i-si—
Jessica Waters Photo Editor
The outdoor patio at Cafe Paradiso is a popular place for customers to enjoy
drinks and pastries while waiting for the band to start their first set.
*
with convincing students who live
close to campus to make the down
town trek.
"The (distance) is going to be a big
obstacle," she said. "I know that 1 might
go if my friend said, 'Hey, let's go down
there and studyf but it seems like a long
way to go for a place to study. There are
things available closer."
Fleener believes in time students
will return to the area, and points out
that at one time they dominated it.
"Weeknight concerts and music
was never really our thing," he said.
"When we first opened, the student
population was our bread and butter;
a lot of that changed when (Broad
way) dosed."
Steven Neuman is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
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