Why "Coffee shops?"

My post on the Peppermill got me to thinking...why are the 24-hour eateries in Vegas casinos (and elsewhere in the city) always referred to as 'coffee shops?'

When I think of a coffee shop, I usually think of a place like Starbucks...no waitresses, just coffee, tea, maybe a few pastries to munch on. It seems like it's only in Vegas that a coffee shop is actually a full-service restaurant. At least here in the Northeast it would more likely be called a diner.

Any idea how this unique (to me) usage started?

I chalk it up to one of those localism. Years ago the idea of a shop that sold only coffee was pretty rare.

I remember ages ago asking for a "Grinder" in the Midwest to the reply of "Excuse me SIR".
In CT we go to Package Stores not liquor stores.


But I must agree w OAD that we in the Northeast are usually correct.

I don't know. But I'm sure I've heard the term coffee shop for diners and cafes used elsewhere. Cafe is also rooted int he word coffee, so....

I think of Starbucks as coffee stands, because many of them are small places with just an order counter and maybe one or two tables. In Mexico many of these also sell sandwiches and salads.

Here in Portland, OR, the "coffee shops" are very Starbuckian in atmosphere, and have a large emphasis is on the fancy coffee. But almost all of them serve full breakfast and lunch, and many are open for dinner. As far as I can tell they all serve beer and wine (mimosas are popular). Many have a small selection of liquor for cocktails.
But the common theme is the prominent coffee selection.

Historically, I don't know how this fits in. I don't know if Starbucks (from Seattle) is a scaled-down version of a Northwest coffee shop, or the Portland shops got more elaborate recently.

Lots of people here seem to want alcohol with breakfast. Pizzerias will advertise their brunches and mimosas. Hell, I have even seen a strip club at 9am on a Sunday with a sign "Now serving brunch."

In my part of the country, "coffee shops" have been around at least since I was a kid, and probably long before that. It just meant a place that served basic comfort food, was open early for breakfast, and stayed open late. Truckers, policemen, night shift workers, etc. would all patronize such a place.

Exactly, mkl.
The term "Coffee shop" always meant "cheap restaurant," or a greasy-spoon, in the days before Starbucks-like places.
Often had booths plus an eating counter with stools, waitresses in hair nets;
basically, a family-owned Denny's type of place.
Think pancakes, egg salad sandwiches, burgers, milk shakes, and pots of coffee, etc.

As far as I can remember, the term "coffee shop" would have been pretty much interchangeable with "diner." There is a need for a different term for a Starbucks type of place. Maybe "coffee lounge"? The next time I go to a Starbucks, which is very seldom, I'll ask about this.

Coffee shops and diners have many things in common. The primary being that they are open 24 hours. Any restaurant open 24 hours better have good coffee to keep those night owl's eyes open.

The primary difference is that diners have that streamlined, stainless steel look - although this difference had been fading away recently.

Coffee shops also tend to lure in passers-by, while diners are more of a destination.

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Starbucks serves food (if you count sandwiches in vending machind wrappers food), but does not have a service staff.

For "real" coffee shops, think of those shown on Fraiser or Friends. These are coffee hang-outs, and feature service staff.

Originally Coffee Shops were the discussion places wherein there was a lack of class distinctions. Its not just Lloyds of London that started as a coffee shop.

Later, cafes were the Beatnik hangouts: coffee, chess, poetry, books, a few couches, etc. The term Coffee Shop applied but was also used for a breakfast place with a limited menu for lunch and dinner; sort of a stripped down diner. A place for coffee and a sandwich without any need for pretense or pretensive prices. No reservations, no fancy dress, but unless it was actually rush-hour no "eat it and beat it" atmosphere.

No real coffee shops have morphed into fine pastries, very limited meals but of good quality, couches, chairs, games, play areas, magazines, dog water-bowls and dog biscuits. Entertainment is usually non-amplified. For awhile students were referring to Barnes and Noble as The Library but it seems coffee shops have taken over that role.

In Vegas, Coffee Shop can mean a restaurant or it can be more a Coffee Bar type thing with Starbucks or something for quick service. The more recent trend is to combine coffee and chocolate in a Chocolate Bar atmosphere of upholstered chairs, tables, fine chocolates and fine coffees.

We refer to them as donut houses here in the northeast.