March 14, 2023
Panera
Wi-Fi speed – 6/10
Snacks – 8/10
Atmosphere – 7/10
Hours: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Panera is always a reliable go-to study spot. They never disappoint me, and always have free Wi-Fi. Although; the Webster location’s Wi-Fi seems to work better than Panera on Manchester Road. Either way, there’s always a lot of choices on the menu to choose from, my favorite item being the mac and cheese. Beware: when Panera is experiencing its rush hour, it can be challenging to find a quiet spot to focus over the noise. Overall, Panera is a solid study spot, but the wow factor is lacking because it is such a basic place.
Dierbergs – Des Peres
Wi-Fi speed – 8/10
Snacks – 10/10
Atmosphere – 7/10
Hours: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Dierbergs is quite possibly my new favorite study spot. At first, I was unsure about doing homework at a grocery store. However, many people I know study here, so I thought I’d try it out. There is just something about that view of the store from the mezzanine above. There is almost any snack you can dream of here, as you can get anything from sushi to a rotisserie chicken to gummy bears. You can even make getting a snack a fun study break. The Wi-Fi has never disappointed, and I can always focus because there is rarely noisy commotion. The only downside is that Dierbergs is a study hotspot, so you may want to give SnapMap a quick peek to see who is there before you go.
Kirkwood Public Library
Wi-Fi Speed – 7/10
Snacks – not allowed
Focus-Ability – 10/10
Hours: Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m Friday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.
The Kirkwood Public Library (KPL) is hands down the best place to go if you need to focus. There is no distracting noise and you can tuck yourself away in a corner, put your AirPods in and grind. I recommend going here before big tests because of the focus-ability this place embraces. The biggest downside of studying here is that there are no snacks, and bringing your own could get you kicked out. Thankfully, the KPL is in the heart of Downtown Kirkwood, so there are plenty of places nearby to get food after you finish up your homework. Overall, if you need to sit down and get your work done, this is the best place to go.
Pioneer Bakery
Wi-Fi Speed – 9/10
Snacks – 6/10
Focus-Ability – 8/10
Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Pioneer Bakery is right in the middle of Downtown Kirkwood and perfect for when you don’t have an overwhelming amount of homework. The early closing of this study spot is its one take away, so don’t plan on starting a large project here. The snack scene is pretty good but they provide mostly baked goods and brunch foods, my favorite being their avocado toast. But, if you were hoping for a big dinner you may need to stop somewhere else on your way home. The quiet and secluded scenery made it easy to grind out all my work. Pioneer Bakery does have Wi-Fi but be prepared to ask for the password, it was a little awkward but worth it once I got my homework done.
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