Writing about a friend’s experience: She has been frequenting this place for a year+, multiple times per week, ALWAYS buying something to justify using this formerly-peaceful place to study a/o meet up with friends. Yesterday she had settled in with her books and laptop, in a nearly EMPTY room, about to go up and order a drink and treat, when some woman, presumably in authority, walks up to her and states, in a less than friendly manner, “these tables are for paying customers only - we’re struggling because of covid. Can I get you something?” ... the message being buy something or leave. My friend gathered up her stuff, made for the front door, and told the woman on her way out that she had just lost a long-time repeat customer. With a shocked expression, the manager/owner/whoever actually said, “but I was about to offer you a free coffee!” After more than a year of nothing-but-pleasant, the place went form peaceful to hostile to passive-aggressive, all within a few minutes. Good thing there are nice coffee shops galore all over Tacoma ... I guess Corina will now be “struggling” a little more.