Computers, Coffee and Chat Brewing at New Internet Cafe

By Lugene Hudson, New Castle News, Pa.

Jun. 19–James Beshero polished off his coffee and signed off the computer he was working on.

He had homework to attend to. Only his college and computer are in Colorado.

So Beshero pursued the next best thing — the Internet Cafe and LAN Center in the Lawrence Village Plaza. The business, owned by Genevieve and Jerry Hasson, opened in April and is a gathering place/eatery/computer center. It’s the kind of combination that attracts teenagers and adults.

“This is more contemporary than the ones we have and much larger,” the outgoing Beshero, 22, of Thornton, Colo., remarked. In the area to attend a wedding, he was with his dad, Chuck, a New Castle native. While Chuck Beshero talked to Jerry at the coffee bar, the Hasson’s 4-year-old daughter Hannah amused herself with a program called “The Carnival” on Wii.

The Internet Cafe and LAN — Local Area Network — Center is the first of its type in the area, Genevieve Hasson said.

Regulars and newcomers wander in and out, grab a beverage or snack, check e-mail and socialize.

And Beshero nailed down an important feature.

“This place is very versatile because it offers multiple services.” Whether it’s homework, writing a term paper, office work, playing games or surfing the Web, the Internet Cafe is equipped to handle it all.

According to Genevieve Hasson, there are 18 public-use Dell computers for wireless Internet, gaming, personal use and e-mail; four 55-inch HDTVs; Wii, XBox and PlayStation3.

With its bright, roomy design and high-tech styling, it’s hard to tell this was once a Payless shoe store. Along with the lunch counter are booths, and tables and chairs for having a bite to eat or just carrying on a conversation.

“It’s a coffee shop and for kids, too,” Genevieve Hasson summarized.

On the wall behind the bank of computers are the words “Internet Cafe” and a cup of coffee painted by David Frishkorn, a student at the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center.

“This is the Swiss Army knife of Internet cafes,” Beshero observed. “As far as hardware, this guy really knows his stuff.”

His dad, Chuck, calls the gathering place a great concept. For Jerry Hasson, the important element was recognizing a need and taking hold of it.

He agrees with his wife that although the business is geared to kids for homework needs, gaming and a place to meet, adults view it as a coffee house.

“The number one reason, though, is there was no place for kids to go,” he said. As a former city and state policeman, he recalls the times officers had to clear teenagers from places that weren’t appropriate for them to hang out.

“Every day is different,” Hasson said as he went to prepare a sandwich for customer Teresa Dottle.

Popping in once a week, Dottle ordered a turkey bagel and settled into a booth.

She arrives about 11:30 “when it’s quiet,” usually ordering the same thing. Dottle doesn’t come for computers. She finds the sandwiches good because of the quality of ingredients used.

“It’s nice there’s something of this type.”

While his wife calls it a team effort, Hasson said 75 percent of the business is operated by Genevieve. He focuses more on the computer aspect while Genevieve oversees the food portion and events planning.

“I help,” Hasson smiled, noting he has played video and computer games his entire life and once owned an Internet service provider business.

Quality gourmet coffee brewed from beans that are ground fresh daily is a drawing card, said Genevieve, adding customers may dine in or take out.

“I’m a coffee connoisseur and know good coffee.”

The cafe also quickly gaining attention for its fruit smoothies, salads, soups, fresh muffins and sandwiches using different types of bread such as ciabatta and world-class cheese including the mild, creamy delicious Havarti. Computer usage is by the hour, and signs spell out charges for all the various choices.

Whatever the purpose is — surfing the Internet, gaming or checking e-mail — visitors can do it from sink-into-comfort swivel computer chairs.

These computers have fast connections for fast downloads and smooth browsing. High-speed color laser printing is also available.

Customers also may bring in their own video games or saved files. For gaming, there is the capability of five- to 16-person events if a personal system is brought in.

Jerry Hasson cited several reasons adults are drawn to the facility.

“Some ladies told me their computers were down and they needed to pay bills,” he said. In another case, the person’s printer was broken.

“One guy from California sat all day drinking coffee and doing his work.”

To quickly soak up an hour, all one has to do is sit down and try a hand at a video game called Peggle. When 125,000 points are scored in less than two minutes, it’s not only a victory, it can easily become a fun addiction. Tournaments such as ones involving Halo are another component of the cafe. Teens and young adults participate two or three times a month, Jerry Hasson said.

The cafe is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. On Sunday, there is a special feature Hasson said he is proud to offer to churches.

“Youth who show proof they attended services that morning can take advantage of free computer gaming from 2 to 8 p.m.”

At the back of the LAN center is a party room where events such as birthday and graduation parties can be held.

Yet another dimension may surface.

“Already, acoustic bands have asked to play,” Hasson explained, adding he first needs to secure permission from the plaza owner.

Overall, he said having the business is “our outreach and a type of ministry.”

“We already have kids here after school,” he said. “People can come to a nice environment.”

When classes start in the fall, Hasson would like teachers to donate time “so kids can get help with their studies.”

Later, he would also like to implement fax machines and possibly open an e-Bay store.

“This could even be a drop-off for computer repairs.”

The center of the plaza has now become the center of cyberspace activity.

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Copyright (c) 2008, New Castle News, Pa.

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