ANNISTON, Ala. — Called Coffee, a specialty coffee shop on Quintard Avenue, has introduced a Co-Working Premium of $4 per hour for customers occupying a table with a laptop for more than ninety continuous minutes. The fee is waived for orders totaling $18 or more, which owner Jerod Snider noted covers "a drink and something to eat, which is a reasonable arrangement."

A printed notice appeared on the tables last Tuesday. It was not announced.

"I enjoy having people work here," Snider said. "I also have rent. These two facts are not in conflict if everyone orders something."

The policy applies to single-occupant table use during weekday business hours. Weekend customers, Snider noted, "tend to move faster anyway."

Three regulars have complied with the new policy. Two have not returned. One filed a complaint with the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, which confirmed it had received the complaint and would review it at the next available meeting. The meeting is in six weeks.

Mayor Lyle Henley said the city supported "the right of local businesses to structure their offerings as they see fit" and described the situation as "a private commercial matter." He did not visit the shop for comment but noted he had "been meaning to."

Snider said he expected the policy to stabilize over time and that he remained "genuinely glad" when people worked there. He asked that the word "eviction" not be used. The Green Tomato has agreed to describe it as a "table utilization framework."

The Co-Working Premium does not apply to customers who purchase a bag of beans.