Free WiFi, Free Refills, Few Takers

While it does not have the gourmet repertoire of Garelick & Herbs, nor the impressive coffee collection of Zumbach's, or even the local charm of Rosie—Bruegger's Bagels has got something: "unconditionally free Internet." 

No other coffee shop or restaurant in town offers it. The only other location where customers can get Internet access is Starbucks, where they can pay $6 per day to get access through AT&T. 

Bruegger's is most likely overlooked as a WiFi destination because it's considered by many to be an in-and-out spot—a stop before work for bagels in the morning or a quick lunch outing with the kids. 

But, it boasts free refills on coffee and drinks, a pleasant atmosphere and nice music, says General Manager Nicole Arbour. 

There are a few people who have appreciated the atmosphere. A group of eight to 10 senior citizens come every morning to eat breakfast and talk for about an hour, Arbour says.

In the three weeks that Arbour has been working in New Canaan, she couldn't readily recall seeing a customer with a laptop. I happened to be lucky to spot a laptop user when I walked in just after 1 p.m. on Wednesday—the first that Arbour had seen besides her boss. 

"It would be great if people could enjoy the WiFi," Arbour said. "We have good coffee and good bagels so I don't know why (they aren't)." 

Arbour had worked at the recently closed Bruegger's in Darien for the past year and a half before moving over to the New Canaan location.

She says more people used the Internet in Darien.  

"I did have quite a few people in there that would use it and hang out," she said. Some even had meetings there and delivered presentations on laptops.

One possible reason she cites for the lack of Internet users in the New Canaan shop is that the sole outlet is adjacent to the ordering line and not in the main seating area.

Arbour is currently working with a carpenter to find out whether it would be possible to put more outlets in. 

If you're not much for mixing commerce with your online time, you can head to the library or catch some WiFi at Town Hall.