Free Wi-Fi Establishments Are Virtual Offices

Those free wif-wi places are more popular than ever.

With many residents still without power, many are turning to eateries that offer free wi-fi for not only nourishment, but for office space.

Take the McDonald's on Route 83 at Vernon Circle, for example.

When it opened around dinnertime on Sunday, there was a mad rush to it. Traffic was backed up onto the main road from the drive-through and inside, tables with electrical outlets were at a premium, like window seats at an oceanside five-star restaurant.

On Sunday night, those with computers ranged from gamers to college students to teens using social media to journalists to aerospace engineers.

This morning, it was packed again. Same for most McDonald's in the area. 

It is still hit or miss, deepening on what is open in the area.

Most of the Dunkin' Donuts welcome computers, as does Kevin's Coffee Roasters on out 83. Most supermarkets have small dining sections, but not necessarily plug-ins.

The official count from Connecticut Light & Power is 1,549 locals without power, or 40 percent of its customer base in Vernon. CLP said on Sunday night it would have crews working around the clock, but residential areas have been deemed low priority.