Coffee-Flavored

I read this article (I'm generally not much of a newspaper reader, I'll admit, but Starbucks Twittered this, so I read it):

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/business/21sbux.html?pagewanted=1

It's really interesting! My parents keep telling me that I should stay up-to-date on industry news for things that I like (which I essentially do through Twitter & the company blogs. So don't underestimate their power!), and I think I'll try to keep doing it because it's very interesting and you find out about things faster than if you just wait to find out about things.

Anyways, the article is about how Starbucks is trying to tailor their shops / create new coffee shops that are more like small neighborhood shops. Which is really cool, and also somewhat odd.

Really Cool:

*That they are sensitive to the market (& their customers) and are reacting to it.

*That there will be unique coffee shops to go to in certain places. (Check out this awesome Starbucks in London: http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2010/01/19/new-store-in-mayfair-london.aspx)

*The brewed-to-order coffee option

Less Really Cool:

*Am I the only person who actually really likes that each shop is the same everywhere? That when I was abroad I could go there and be less homesick? That I know they have my drink no matter where in the country (or world) I am? (I say this because it comments on how on the East Coast few people drink cold drinks during winter. But I totally do when i go to Burlington. I get my iced chai, and then just stay in the mall until I finish it. It's SO warm in the mall, that a hot drink would make me too hot)

*In the article, one person commented on being bamboozled (my word) because she thought it was a small shop when the coffee shop was owned by Starbucks. I wonder if this will cause problems in the already anti-Starbucks people. But maybe not. Some people don't like the cookie-cutter-ness and therefore may respond better to the stores being more unique and tailored to the neighborhood/area they're in.

In general, though, I think it's a good idea. I really want to go to them & see how they are! Road trip, anyone? San Fran's not so far...from home, not from here.