When I worked at a local mall damn near every place had something that was owned by an employee because the company wouldn't pay for it and the managers were not total idiots.

Do we need a coffeepot? No. Will the employees be happier if there is one? Yes. Will it save me money for coffee at work? Yes.  

When the manager demoted herself at a phone store due to the company getting rid of commission on sales for managers making her get less money as a manager than working as a normal employee the replacement they sent tried to do nothing and to just relax. They were told they couldn't use anything in the place as a result. 5 people ran that store that were all close friends due to being there for like a decade or longer and all were top sellers in the region. Firing one would make them all leave and get him fired.

 The only things the company owned  not in the front was in the micro bathroom they had a tiny toilet and sink,  and in the backroom they had a safe, camera, and a desk you could barely fit a laptop on. Damn near everything was owned by either the former manager or ASM.