Two global institutions began as regulars' tables in a coffee house.
London's first coffee house opened in 1652; by 1675 England had over 3,000. A penny at the door bought newspapers and conversation, hence the nickname "penny universities". Ship insurers met at Edward Lloyd's from about 1689 and stockbrokers at Jonathan's – these became Lloyd's and the London Stock Exchange.
Useful: Institutions tend to grow where the right people meet regularly.
Source: en.wikipedia.org