An unconventional coffee shop in San Antonio embraces the idea of enjoying a cup of joe without the distractions of modern society.
Billing itself as a “slow bar,” java joint NoFi has taken a stance that’s unusual for a coffee shop — no WiFi and no coffee to-go.
The unique spot, located at 819 Fredericksburg Rd., opened in October as a place to slow down and connect with your physical environment, as well as each other.
“The theme is intentionality,” owner Hana Buck told the Current. “Just like we want our community to have a moment of intentionality,” this philosophy also extends to “intentionality behind the presentation of the drinks and giving customers more context about what they are drinking.”
The shop sources its beans from small farms around the world and experiments with different brewing methods. Though it’s still building its signature drink menu, Buck said it probably won’t involve flavored syrups.
Buck also owns Bright Coffee at 1705 Blanco Road. Though Buck says Bright opened with this intentional model in mind, the layout and traffic flow of the space wasn’t really conducive for slow joe. But, she says, there was still “an urge or desire to provide that experience.” Thus, NoFi was born.
Anyone who has been to Rome might know that in some other countries, this lingering experience is the norm for serving coffee, and an Italian barista might scoff or look at you weird if you ask for it “to-go.”
However, the concept is a bit foreign for busy Americans, some of whom aren’t even accustomed to leaving their car for coffee. Despite this learning curve, NoFi reports a positive reception from the San Antonio community.
“We knew it was risky, we knew it was unconventional, but we knew it would be worth a try,” said Buck. “I think there’s space for it here and people are really excited.”
The absence of WiFi is also a marked departure from the standard American coffee shop model, as many cafés are used by remote workers to camp out and get some work done on their laptop. But NoFi hopes instead to foster off-line connection and creativity.
“Bring a friend, bring a book, or bring your watercolors,” Buck says, also encouraging customers to use the café as time “away from your phone.”
Despite the absence of WiFi and the emphasis on IRL connection, Buck says laptops are welcome in the cafe, though the shop encourages the device be used for “something that lends itself to a creative outlet,” like digital art or writing.
Focusing on weekend traffic as it builds up its schedule, staffing and clientele, NoFi is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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This article appears in Jan 8-21, 2025.
