http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2931 A Rare Bird, A Strange Duck, One Funky Blog Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:49:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2931#comment-78778 Emily Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:51:14 +0000 http://www.peterwall.net/?p=60#comment-78778 "Except that option will only be available for the short time it takes for the Starbucks to put the local, independently-owned place out of business." Actually, I thought there was a study in the past few months that found that (on average), Starbucks' rise has been good for independently owned coffee shops. The apparent result is that Starbucks has brought (relatively) good coffee to the masses, who become more discerning customers of coffee, become addicted to coffee, and are more likely to seek out a coffeeshop experience than they were previously. In essence, now that you're addicted to fancy coffee drinks, you're more likely to go to any coffeeshop, including the independent ones. (If someone else read this study please help me out here...) Incidentally, the little independent coffeehouse right next door to me has a sign out front that says "Crawfish Etouffee $6.95." Why is a coffeehouse serving crawfish etouffee? I don't know. I wonder if they have crawfish coffee, too... ;-)
Actually, I thought there was a study in the past few months that found that (on average), Starbucks' rise has been good for independently owned coffee shops. The apparent result is that Starbucks has brought (relatively) good coffee to the masses, who become more discerning customers of coffee, become addicted to coffee, and are more likely to seek out a coffeeshop experience than they were previously. In essence, now that you're addicted to fancy coffee drinks, you're more likely to go to any coffeeshop, including the independent ones. (If someone else read this study please help me out here…)

Incidentally, the little independent coffeehouse right next door to me has a sign out front that says "Crawfish Etouffee $6.95." Why is a coffeehouse serving crawfish etouffee? I don't know. I wonder if they have crawfish coffee, too… ]]> http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2931#comment-78771 Peter Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:59:37 +0000 http://www.peterwall.net/?p=60#comment-78771 I would also note that the "rules of engagement" delineated above were drafted based on the misbehavior of Starbucks <i>customers</i> rather than on dislike of the Starbucks <i>corporation</i>. Personally, I have no problem with the Starbucks company. I have not found a local, independently-owned coffeehouse that is as consistent, as professional, as clean, or as responsive as the Starbucks stores I frequent. (And, interestingly, probably the <i>least</i> impressive Starbucks I have recently encountered is the on on Cannery Row in Monterey, CA, where the atmosphere is more like that of an independently-owned place. The employees were not as friendly, more absent-minded, and slower than what I am accustomed to, and the physical premises were markedly more dingy than probably every other Starbucks I have visited.) Starbucks employees (er, "partners") are typically far better trained than the people I have usually encountered in local, independently owned places, and they usually have a sharper, more upwardly-mobile attitude. That could just be my region, though. While I certainly recognize how fashionable it is to criticize <i>any</i> company that has a worldwide presence and tends to put local entrepreneurs out of business, I am much more interested in the quality of service I receive and the quality of product I purchase. Starbucks has never done me grievous wrong in either respect. If local coffeehouses tend to fold when Starbucks shows up in the neighborhood, I believe firmly that it is because Starbucks provides, as I mentioned above, a more consistent product, more professional service, and more impressive premises than local shops tend to provide. If the local shops can out-do Starbucks, then more power to them. But if they cant, I see no reason to cast any aspersions on Starbucks for doing something very, very well. Wal-Mart on the other hand... customers rather than on dislike of the Starbucks corporation.

Personally, I have no problem with the Starbucks company. I have not found a local, independently-owned coffeehouse that is as consistent, as professional, as clean, or as responsive as the Starbucks stores I frequent. (And, interestingly, probably the least impressive Starbucks I have recently encountered is the on on Cannery Row in Monterey, CA, where the atmosphere is more like that of an independently-owned place. The employees were not as friendly, more absent-minded, and slower than what I am accustomed to, and the physical premises were markedly more dingy than probably every other Starbucks I have visited.)

Starbucks employees (er, "partners") are typically far better trained than the people I have usually encountered in local, independently owned places, and they usually have a sharper, more upwardly-mobile attitude. That could just be my region, though.

While I certainly recognize how fashionable it is to criticize any company that has a worldwide presence and tends to put local entrepreneurs out of business, I am much more interested in the quality of service I receive and the quality of product I purchase. Starbucks has never done me grievous wrong in either respect. If local coffeehouses tend to fold when Starbucks shows up in the neighborhood, I believe firmly that it is because Starbucks provides, as I mentioned above, a more consistent product, more professional service, and more impressive premises than local shops tend to provide. If the local shops can out-do Starbucks, then more power to them. But if they cant, I see no reason to cast any aspersions on Starbucks for doing something very, very well.

Wal-Mart on the other hand…]]> http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2931#comment-78620 Peter Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:26:12 +0000 http://www.peterwall.net/?p=60#comment-78620 Except that option will only be available for the short time it takes for the Starbucks to put the local, independently-owned place out of business. http://alesrarus.funkydung.com/archives/2931#comment-78619 Tom Smith Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:19:56 +0000 http://www.peterwall.net/?p=60#comment-78619 The best option of all is to patronize your local independently-owned coffee shop. Then, while passing the Starbuck's branch which will INEVITABLY be directly across the street, extend at least one middle finger. I'm just sayin'... that's the best option.
I'm just sayin'… that's the best option.]]>