Stephanie P.
Yelp
SLU is not short on cafes or banks. But a combination cafe/bank? That might actually be a first. (And for those who like to play the "what used to be there" game: rug store.) I wandered past by chance and decided to check it out.
Capital One Cafe's grand opening is on 1/19/18, but it's open for business now. While it aims to be many things -- hangout spot, co-work and meeting space, dispenser of financial advice -- the main benefits are for Capital One customers or prospective customers.
As a cafe, it's fine. Capital One customers get 50% off their drinks (but not food), which meant my latte was ridiculously cheap! They serve Peet's coffee, with a smallish menu of espresso drinks, tea, cocoa and fruity drinks, plus a selection of pastries and packaged chips and cookies. The discount is probably enough to make me pick this place over the Starbucks across the street, but coffee snobs will get fancier drinks at Kakao or Fresh Flours.
As a meeting space, it's two spacious floors of table seating, comfy chaises, and large meeting tables with charging stations. WiFi is free, and there are three first-come-first-serve conference rooms. Two other meeting rooms are reserved for nonprofits only, at no charge. There's also an open area on the main floor that looks like it will be used for banking-related business. It feels a little sterile and corporate with the bright colors and blond wood, but I'm guessing the ambiance will improve when it's officially open and gets busier.
There are two ATMs in the lobby, and tablets at the big tables that offer information on Capital One's tools and services. It's not a true bank, in the sense that there aren't tellers or financial advisors there -- I had questions about investing and was referred to one of their phone lines. But if you need an ATM or have basic questions about their services, the employees are friendly and chatty.
As a cheapskate, my big takeaway is 50% OFF DRINKS! But I can see this being a useful place to meet with coworkers to get away from the office, or to bring a laptop and work quietly. If your office, like mine, doesn't have soundproof rooms for private phone conversations, the meeting rooms would also be handy for that. I'll be back for my half-price lattes!
