Should Businesses Allow Customers to 'Plug In'?

Visit any coffee shop or cafe these days and you'll see as many mobile devices – laptops, tablets, smart phones – as you do plates and mugs.

But those are all battery-powered devices. Often times when a remote worker or lover of technology makes camp at a local business, it's inevitable at times he or she will need to recharge after a length of time.

One Patch employee in the area was recently turned away from an eatery after "plugging in." The editor bought dinner and a drink, sat down and began working while he ate. Once he neared the end of his meal, the shop owner asked him to unplug his equipment and leave.

The owner said he needs to pay for electricity, and wasn't pleased about the use of his outlet.

So, do paying customers have the right to use a free outlet in a business? In the days after Hurricane Sandy so many more people seem apt to plug in their devices on the go, are businesses entitled to saying 'no' or frown upon customers using their outlets?

What are your thoughts? Who's entitled to what? And do you have any stories about interactions like the one explained here?

Let us know in the comments!