Thursday, July 10, 2008
Starbucks closings: will they affect you?
Posted by Kevin Allman on Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 12:51 AM
As you've probably heard, Starbucks is planning to close beaucoup U.S. locations by next year (600, to be accurate), though the company has been tight-lipped about which ones will get the axe. The java-anxiety has spawned rumors, blogs, and now a Web feature by the Seattle Times, which is plotting the supposed closings on an interactive Google map.
New Orleans, of course, has never been as Starbucks-saturated as most other major cities. When it comes to coffee, we've been ahead of the "support your local business" curve for, well, decades. According to the Web site Starbucks Everywhere, we only have a few dozen Starbucks in the metro area. (In L.A. or Seattle, of course, there seem to be a few dozen per person.)
Interestingly, the Times' Google map doesn't show any closings in Louisiana.
I'm mixed on Starbucks. I hate the way they try to muscle out the local guys; I like the fact that they offer health insurance...something that many of the "buy local, support local" coffeehouses don't do. I hate the fact that many of their stores charge for WiFi; I like the fact that they finally dumped their signature Burned-to-Hell French roast for something more palatable.
But my last few cups of coffee came from Morning Call, PJ's, and St. John's. I'm just not in the Starbucks habit.
Are you? Would you miss Starbucks if the few outlets in New Orleans went the way of K&B?
Comments (3)
Showing 1-3 of 3
No, I'm one of those people uptown restaurant goers look down on. I consider Applebee's a restaurant. I consider Burger King a restaurant. I consider people who pay $4 for a cup of coffee a latte liberal, who ponders the changes of New Orleans through uptown restaurant windows, void of any real connection with the world outside- i.e., your basic TP reporter. I'm one of those people you can feel superior to without feeling guilty - lower middle calss white. I really hate aristocracy and Starbucks, though I know you uptowners cling to it like rednecks to guns and religion!
like
dislike
I prefer PJ's (although the one at Clearview needs more friendly employees). Although I will take my local joint around the corner, Chateau Coffee Cafe anyday over Starbucks. Would be a shame to see anyone lose their job, be better to have some more local coffee places.
Recent Comments
-
Re: Review: Works by Carlos Estevez and Key-Sook Geum
Love this man's work!!!
- on May 14, 2012
-
Re: The artist's mother
What a hoot! Grandmere was wonderful. I love her uniqueness and blunt statements. I'm sure…
- on May 14, 2012
-
Re: Read this week's Gambit here...
There's a typo in Jeremy Alford's story on state government PR people. The Greenpeace "fish…
- on May 14, 2012
-
Re: Coca-Cola graffiti matter is "resolved," says Clarkson staffer
This vandalism by a corporate sponsor is amazing. I agree with RfrancisR that punishment is…
- on May 13, 2012
-
Re: Interview: Willie Robertson of A&E's Duck Dynasty
Man I really love u guys I use to live in west monroe back in…
-
on May 12, 2012
via mobile
-
Re: What do you want to rename the New Orleans Hornets?
New Orleans Blues (it's not jazz, but we r known for singing the blues) ;)
-
on May 11, 2012
via mobile
- More »
