What’s so great about Starbucks?
I’m a Starbucks fan. I am. Don’t get me wrong, but I live in a relatively small Mississippi town. And yes, we do have a Starbucks, which I love to visit, but I also love the independent coffee store in town. Unfortunately, business there doesn’t seem to be booming, and I fear that it will go out of business. If so, it will be the 2nd independent coffee shop that has gone out of business since the arrival of Starbucks.
I don’t really get it. As far as the environment goes, the independent shop is comfy and homey with plush couches, free Wi-Fi, and coffee tables that give the impression that customers are just relaxing in their own homes. On the other hand, our Starbucks is relatively small, and though they have a small seating area, it has a more “restaurant” feel.
And the coffee? I consider myself a coffee connoisseur, and the coffee at the independent shop is equally as good. Starbucks does stay open longer, and therefore, it’s more convenient for coffee addicts like myself, who don’t require coffee only in the early morning hours. However, what is it that makes Starbucks the “go to” coffee place, crushing the hopes and dreams of independent shop owners in small towns like mine?
Do baristas annoy you?
You walk into your favorite coffee shop, find a good spot, mark your temporary territory with a book or an invaluable belonging, walk over to the counter, and look up the menu. You’re thinking of what to order, when a familiar voice cuts in, “Hi (name)! Let me guess. Non-fat white chocolate mocha, no whipped cream, and chocolate eclair?” It’s the barista, naming your usual order which you’ve been getting for the past how many weeks.
On the one hand, it’s flattering that he or she actually remembers your name, your usual order, and even correctly associated it with your face. On the other, it’s a bit presumptuous. What makes him or her think that you don’t have enough sense of adventure to try out something new right now? Do you look like the kind of person who can’t help but stick to his boring old routine? Non-fat? Aren’t you looking more fit today, so that you deserve a calorie-laden frappuccino with double servings of whipped cream?
Next situation. You’re in the mood for a quiet, relaxing day. What could be a better setting than your neighborhood cafe, with that steady buzz of coffee brewing, the subdued chatter that blends into white noise, and the soft jazzy music playing in the background? You settle into a comfy chair, open your chosen feel-good book or magazine, and then suddenly, that familiar voice again asks you, “Hey (name)! How are you doing?” You smile politely and say you’re fine, thank you very much. You’re about to go back to your book when it cuts in again. “Oh, you’re not working today? Are you on leave?” Again, it’s flattering that he or she remembers you, and some things about your life which you probably shared bit by bit through your frequent visits. But isn’t it obvious that you just want to enjoy some quiet alone time? And, it’s not like you’re old buddies.
Do baristas annoy you?
Intelligentsia coming to Venice Beach soon!
Intelligentsia are a boutique chain of coffee roasters and cafes based in Chicago, Illinois. The quality of their beans and the pride they put into making their coffees ranks them amongst the best in the USA. They use fair trade beans (beans that are bought directly from growers or small collectives). A couple of years ago, Intelligentsia opened a store in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, and it has become a very popular institution for creatives, artists, and even celebrities. The Silver Lake store has a great, relaxed vibe, modern decor and a sheltered patio for sitting and sipping your latte on vibrant Sunset Boulevard.
A new Intelligentsia concept coffee store is due to open in Venice, California either June 8th or 9th. It was originally due to open in February 2009, so it has been many months of waiting for it finally to open. Soon westside LA will have its own local Intelligentsia coffeebar.
Tully Coffee (Seattle, Washington)
Tully’s Coffee * 1401 4th Ave * Seattle, WA 98101 * 206-625-0600 * http://www.tullys.com/
Tully’s Coffee, another Seattle favorite like Starbucks, that is slowly growing to be a large world chain – most notorious for its coffee. Tully’s opened its doors in 1992, they boast proudly about their handcrafted blends that are different than the rest. They also claim to be the last independent pedigreed-Seattle coffee company even though they are spreading quickly. They claim community is the big part of their stores. My visit to Tully’s at this location on 12/29/08 went very well, but not much different than a Starbucks experience. The chai and the pumpkin loaf I tried, not much different. However they do have free wifi internet, so my wifi n’ chai experience was much nicer than the pay per hour that Starbucks has. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.
City o City (Denver, Colorado)
City O City (Denver, Colorado)
210 E. 13th Ave, Denver, Colorado 80218 * 303.318.9844 http://www.watercoursefoods.com/cityocity.html
One of Denver’s premiere vegetarian restaurants, in the heart of capital hill, next to artsy shops and bars. Down tempo music with eclectic offerings of food, coffee, and drinks … this hot spot will give any visitor a sensational zing for their zang. “City, O’ City – An Ode, A Lament” is their motto, and implies the beginning of a poem to the City. It’s a coffeehouse, it’s a cafe, it’s a restaurant. Wine, Ales, unique hard liquors, teas, espresso, drip coffee beans, gluten-free muffins, spelt flour cookies, vegetarian or vegan pizza, seitan fake-meats, every dish i tried at this fabulous restaurant was extremely delicious. Part of the WaterCourse Foods network. Rating 5 stars out of 5.
El Diablo Coffee Company, Seattle, WA
El Diablo Coffee Company
http://www.eldiablocoffee.com/ * 1811 Queen Anne Ave North #101, Seattle, WA 98109 * 206.285.0693
A large artsy cafe in the heart of Queen Anne on the main drag, next to a cool bookstore, and nestled within a bunch of shops. El Diablo will give you a taste of heaven and hell … downstairs taking in Diablo’s color, fire, and Mexican-like Day of the Dead decor style … with great drinks and pastries. Upstairs you can climb into the clouds and settle into heaven. Great place to meet friends, chat, read, and absorb Seattle coffee culture with a kitchy artistic flair. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
 El Diablo Coffee Co. |
 El Diablo version of Chai, water, and a breakfast muffin |
Bauhaus Coffee Shop, Seattle, WA
Bauhaus Coffee
301 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 * (206) 625-1600
http://bauhauscoffee.com/
A great coffee shop in the heart of Capital Hill with books and coffee, chai and free wifi, and late night hours. Friendly staff and a great place to meet people. Good service. Highly recommended for any coffee connaisseur. Rating 5 stars out of 5. Visited 12/29/06
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Cafe Vita, Seattle, WA
Cafe Vita
1005 East Pike, Seattle, WA. (206) 709-4440. http://www.caffevita.com/. A unique cafe and coffee roasting company in the heart of Seattle’s Capital Hill. Enjoy a cup of coffee or chai while watching the beans get roasted and coffee truly produced. A local Seattle-based coffee company (not new in concept since Seattle is a coffee city) which specializes in small-batch coffee roasting, espresso preparation, and espresso equipment. A great spot and great staff. Free wifi. Visited 12/27/2006. Rating 4 1/2 stars out of 5.
Poor Richard’s Cafe (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Poor Richard’s Bookstore and Cafe
324 1/2 N Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1224 * 1 719 632 7721
Rating: 3 stars out of 5 visited 9/23/06
A quaint little bookstore cafe/restaurant serving a full menu, wine, coffees, latte, and pastries. Good food. Elegant food. Service is a bit slow. Excellent used bookstore next store, one of the best in the Springs. Live entertainment friday and saturdays.
Folsom Street Cafe, Boulder, CO
Folsom Street Coffee
1795 Folsom St
Boulder, CO
Phone: (303) 440-8808
a nice community coffee shop with a bit of flair and deco. Friendly staff and a entertaining establishment, with games, books, entertainment, events, and free-wifi. Get your passcode from the barista. Chai is good, but simple, not very sweet. Great pastries. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
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