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. So when a remote worker or lover of technology takes camp at a local business, it's inevitable he or she will need to recharge after a length of time.

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

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

So, do paying customers have the right to use a free outlet in a business? Are businesses entitled to saying 'no' or frowning 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!