On Mother’s Day a few years ago, Dorothy Ehli’s grandchildren took her to Sip N-Surf Cybercafe downtown to show her the Internet. Since that day, the retired nurse has been a mainstay at the establishment. Sometimes she stops by to visit her favorite Web site, Allmusic.com. Other times it’s for the homemade lasagna.
It’s this hybrid of old-school warmth and new-school technology that made cybercafes a common sight around the world in the mid-’90s. Like any trend, many were quick to jump on the bandwagon, but few had the chops to stay in for the long haul. Once the novelty wore off, it looked as though cybercafes may end up as little more than fodder for a Trivial Pursuit 1990s edition.
In recent years, however, these specialized businesses seem to have found their niche. And Eugene is no exception. As of now, there are many such establishments in the city, including Sip N-Surf, The Buzz Net Cafe, and Comsource Associates, all offering a combination of computers and a cup of joe.
Sip N-Surf, now in its third year of business, is one of the trend’s veterans. This mellow little joint on West 10th Avenue seems to be reaching the maturity that many other cybercafes couldn’t. In recent months, the cafe has even set Internet-use records.
Like any business, that may be thanks in no small part to its location. Sip N-Surf’s neon sign glows clearly from the bus station downtown, and according to co-owner Marian Harris, travelers make up a large portion of the cafe’s patrons.
“We get a lot of tourists. Cybercafes are the primary Internet connection for people around the world. From an economic standpoint, it just makes sense,” Harris said.
Harris, a self-described “techno-turnip,” handles the food side of the operation, making some dishes herself while Palace Bakery provides the pastries. She opened Sip N-Surf three years ago with Sandra Guzdek, the cafe’s Macintosh expert and Web designer; and Andra Barrow, the cafe’s PC expert and IT manager.
Originally located just 30 feet away in the Atrium, they moved to their current location about a year ago. The cafe has two Macintosh computers and two PCs. The rate for computer use is 10 cents per minute or $6 per hour, but the owners offer 15 free minutes with a purchase of $1 or more.
Sip N-Surf isn’t the only kid on the block. The Buzz Net Cafe is located on East 13th Avenue next to Silver Screen Video. Tammy Reynolds and Kris Kelson opened this cafe just seven months ago and are hoping arriving students will spread the word. Unlike Sip N-Surf, which sees its busiest hours during mid-day, Reynolds is hoping The Buzz Net will be more of an evening business since they are located near the dorms.
Reynolds and Kelson used to own the Express-o-Wash at East 13th Avenue and Patterson Street.
“People were always coming in and asking about local cybercafes. It just seemed there was a real need. And being as close to the school and the dorms as we are, there seems to be real opportunity for growth,” Reynolds said.
No word yet on how they plan to lure Dorothy away from her lasagna.