10-07-2006, 05:35 AM
[quote chas_m]
My problem with Starbucks is that there are WAY too many of them. I don't know if they engage in predatory pricing or other dirty tricks, but they sure do seem to drive the local coffeehouses into the ground.
Really -- except for a few large cities -- there was no "coffee culture" in this country until SB came along. There was Dunkin' Donuts, 7-11, Maxwell House and Chock Full o' Nuts.
In fact there are more independent trendy cafes in this country than there ever were.
I live in Berkeley -- home of the original espresso machines stateside -- and believe me, no indie coffeshops here ever went out of business because of SB. Any coffee shop that closed did so because they were inefficient or too "hip" to take care of the customers properly. You KNOW the type I'm talking about.
And agreed, this is the stupidest thread in months.
My problem with Starbucks is that there are WAY too many of them. I don't know if they engage in predatory pricing or other dirty tricks, but they sure do seem to drive the local coffeehouses into the ground.
Really -- except for a few large cities -- there was no "coffee culture" in this country until SB came along. There was Dunkin' Donuts, 7-11, Maxwell House and Chock Full o' Nuts.
In fact there are more independent trendy cafes in this country than there ever were.
I live in Berkeley -- home of the original espresso machines stateside -- and believe me, no indie coffeshops here ever went out of business because of SB. Any coffee shop that closed did so because they were inefficient or too "hip" to take care of the customers properly. You KNOW the type I'm talking about.
And agreed, this is the stupidest thread in months.