| rev:text
| - Like a lot of Canadians, I don't really trust banks. They are generally smarmy institutions that spout condescending messaging like "you're richer than you think" (pfft), and are always working on ways to get at your moola, ruin your marriage, and/or destroy the world. (I think I'm paranoid...)
Which is why the Network Orange / ING Direct Café (across from the Eaton Centre) is an interesting experiment. Despite all appearances this spot isn't a bank. They do have a couple of ABMs and the staff will field some questions if you happen to be a customer but there is nothing here you can't do at home via online banking.
Instead, this place is touted as a space to hang out, grab a coffee, use some free Wifi and chill. It's a large space, though seating isn't abundant or that conducive to work. It is pretty though: they have soft leather couches, and a bar covered with iPads if you want to browse. There is lots of light and natural light, a garden wall, and copious amounts of orange if you're into that sort of thing. I'd recommend the street-facing bar if you brought your own laptop, and there is a single booth IF you get to it first.
It's not a typical coffeeshop. For starters, there is no cash register so you can only pay with debit or credit. There is no counter so just look for someone wearing an orange shirt. The coffee is supplied by Merchants of Green Coffee (bonus!), and there are pastries by LPK's Culinary Groove. Also unique about this spot: 100% of the proceeds from sales go to a charitable organization. On my visit it was the Canadian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
On the second floor are collaborative spaces available for a fee. Presumably this is how they afford their rent at Yonge and Shuter. You can rent seminar rooms, their projector and screen and other presentation tools. I will likely never use this space, but it is a cool idea.
Considering I am the only non-staff member here on a Sunday afternoon it remains to be seen how this café-by-a-bank will fare. It's certainly just as corporate as the Starbucks across the street, but has better coffee and the proceeds go to charity. Advantage: Orange.
Obligatory Title Pun: Some banks are generous to a VAULT.
Menu Readability: It's black liquid crayon on dark blue panels. Very difficult to read, but it's not like they have a huge selection here anyway.
Need to mention: A great place to curl up with No Logo or the Selling Out issue of Now Magazine.
What this place teaches me about myself: Me and the banks need to do some trust exercises.
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