The other day I learned that a Harvard University professor has invented a product that allows users to enjoy a cup of coffee without having to drink it. The product, called Le Whif, is an inhaler containing coffee which has been distilled into a breathable powder and gives the same dose of caffeine as a double shot of espresso.   Taken to market last year, flavors include chocolate,  raspberry, mint and coffee.   Apparently, you can also get vitamins (not sure how they'd smell). "Experiencing" coffee and chocolate like this leaves something to be desired.  Enough so that this might not really take off.  I suggest you watch the Le Whif video  and decide if you'd spend $3 for an inhaler tube of nine whiffs.

I'm thinking that this has some value for people like me who tend to drink coffee most often as a pick me up and not as a social experience.  But the thought of this new product line got me thinking about what else we do that sometimes takes social out of the experience, when really it would be better to leave it in.

Enjoying a cup of coffee is just that.  It's about enjoying.   Enjoying it over a conversation.   Enjoying it while reading a newspaper or magazine.   Enjoying it while relaxing or taking in a lovely view.  But sucking it down out of a tube doesn't bring up visions or feelings of enjoyment.  Coffee in a spray tube will never be something that people are going to do as a social activity or for pure enjoyment, but it may be something that augments a habit or helps someone break a habit.  I just don't think you'll hear or get an e-mail that says, hey let's get together and sniff some coffee.

Last week I spoke with you about my shiny new iPad and nothing much has changed.  I still really like it.  Make that love it!  It's sort of like a new friend.  It's portable.  It knows how to be quiet or can be noisy when necessary.  It helps me get answers to things.  And last but not least, it lets me read books, magazines and research while lying in bed without disturbing the person next to me with an overhead reading lamp.  I think it's one of the better "social" devices because it's so easy to share it.  Its size makes it easy to pass to others so we can "see" things together and it's a better device to use to take notes in meetings because its smaller size is less intrusive than a laptop.

So in a perfect world, all our devices would add to our interaction with others.  And, while I find new things like LeWhif really cool, I don't think it will replace my cup of Joe while using my iPad.  Of course, if I really need a caffeine fix and there's no hot water around, you might see me with the "sniffles".

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Winco Foods, LLC trades as Winco Foods at 76 locations throughout CA, ID, NV, OR, UT and WA.  The grocery stores occupy spaces of 90,000 sq.ft. to 100,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and power and value centers.  Growth opportunities are sought throughout the existing markets during the coming 18 months.  Preferred demographics include a population of 100,000 within five miles.  A land area of nine acres is required for freestanding locations.  The company prefers to acquire sites. For more information, contact Morgan Randis, Winco Foods, LLC, PO Box 5756, Boise, ID 83705.

Treats International Franchise Corp. trades as Treats International at 91 locations throughout FL and Canada. The shops, offering gourmet coffee, bagels, cookies, cakes, soups, salads and wraps, occupy spaces of 200 sq.ft. to 2,500 sq.ft. in freestanding locations, malls, urban/downtown areas and mixed-use centers. Growth opportunities are sought throughout Canada during the coming 18 months. For more information, contact Ryan Gibson, Treats International Franchise Corp., 201-1550A LaPerriere Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Z 7T2.

Glass Garden, Inc. trades as Shop Rite Supermarkets at nine locations throughout NJ and NY.  The supermarkets occupy spaces of 73,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations and lifestyle, power, specialty and strip centers.  Plans call for two openings in CT, NJ, NY or PA during the coming 18 months.  Typical leases run 20 years with options.  A land area of at least nine acres is required for freestanding locations.  For more information, contact Ben Focarino, Glass Garden, Inc., 204 Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662-3118. 

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