More and more companies are deciding how and if their workers will return to the office. Some of them are a bit more flexible with hybrid options where employees work part of the time from home. But are these home workers really working from home?

It’s 75 and it’s sunny in Brooklyn, and there are so many people out there, it’s like everyone’s on vacation. But a lot of people are behind laptops, like Jake Sundean sitting outside a bagel store.

“It’s nice to come here and work outside, especially on a beautiful day like this,” he said.

Sundean is a graphic designer. He works from home to avoid the 45-minute commute to Manhattan. Still, he needs to escape every now and then from his dark apartment and his roommates.

“Sometimes if I’m working in my bedroom it’s so easy to just, like, you know, go to bed,” he said with a laugh. “You know, put my eyes down a little longer. ”

More than 70% of workers want to retain the ability to work remotely, according to a Microsoft survey. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they want to spend all of their time at home. And that creates a business opportunity. Nick Iovacchini is CEO of KettleSpace, an app that connects users to workspaces in hotels, restaurants, and even retail stores.

“You’d be surprised how many times, you know, the space that’s right downstairs, beautiful decor and lighting, is just underused and empty,” he said.

This was the case before the pandemic at Kindred, a Mediterranean restaurant in Manhattan. Previously, it was only open for dinner, said Moshe Schulman, one of the owners. Now workers can rent a table for $ 25 a day, and there are tempting extras for sale, like an a la carte lunch menu.

“And also wine, if they want to drink while they work… but not encouraged,” Schulman said.

Running a restaurant / office has costs: Wi-Fi upgrades, charging stations, unlimited coffee. But Kindred is on track to generate $ 10,000 in additional sales this month. Schulman thinks people like not having to shop around for coffee. You know, the awkward search for Wi-Fi passwords and outlets.

“It’s a mutual understanding between the restaurant and the people who work to say, ‘Relax, do your job and enjoy, you know, a dish or a glass of wine afterwards,'” said Schulman. .

As for Sundean, the graphic designer outside the bagel store, he plans to feed his $ 5 cafe until his laptop dies.