Posted Wed Apr 16, 2008, 10:08pm Subject: Re: March Coffeeings and Starbucks Watch! by Mark Prince
I received a card that came from a local newspaper (Red Eye I believe) that you can bring in every Wednesday until the end of May for a free tall Pike's Place coffee - well, I went this evening for one and they made me wait because they were brewing it as I ordered. It was pretty strong/dark which is different than I normally like my coffee but I drank it black and it was drinkable. I could never drink their other drip blends black, but I still prefer my own home roasted and press-brewed coffee. Still, might as well get a few free coffees out of it. The regular price for the tall was almost $1.80 which I would hesitate to pay if I had to. That's the cost of 1/4 to 1/3 pound of green coffee that I know I will enjoy.
wjb0617 Senior Member Joined: 4 May 2008 Posts: 1 Location: tarzana Expertise: Professional
Posted Sun May 4, 2008, 1:46am Subject: Re: March Coffeeings and Starbucks Watch! by Mark Prince
I find it admirable that the Bux is trying to get back to its roots. I'm of the opinion that the second Howard stepped down as CEO back in 2001(?) was when things started going downhill. At least they're taking a step in the right direction by roast dating their PPR. I may not agree with their hold time, but hey, I'm a coffee snob. What really gets me is the propaganda spewing forth from the Siren's lips. That and the fact that they're trying to capitalize on what many smaller micro roasters have been doing for years...offering FRESH coffee to their patrons. Need I bring up where Starbuck's got its start? Jerry Baldwin studied under Alfred and in the first two years of operation, was supplied by Alfred. At least they have managed to maintain their standards for the past 42 years while still trying to grow. In the end, all this marketing is just a fad. Will it help the Bux? Maybe in the short run, but they're too large now to maintain any sort of quality control or freshness standard(the last time i ventured into a Starbuck's and picked up a one pound bag of coffee, the sell by date was 9 months out...uhhh- gross!)
Howard and Starbuck's has done an admirable job of bringing coffee culture to the world. Lets hope they get this right and show us all what made them great in the first place. I know i wouldnt have a job if it weren't for the impact they have had on our culture.
Mark Prince is spot on with realizing that despite the substantial imperfections of Starbucks' vision, the company undeniably has increased coffee's visibility. Along with him, I sure wouldn't have a job either and would for certain not be a coffeehead today if not for Starbuck's existence.
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,462 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Professional
Espresso: KvdW Speedster Grinder: Compak K10 WBC Vac Pot: A bit too many Drip: Clive Coffee Drip Stand Roaster: Hario Glass Retro Roaster
Posted Mon Jun 9, 2008, 10:11pm Subject: Re: March Coffeeings and Starbucks Watch! by Mark Prince
I think there's three (maybe four) camps of people when it comes to Starbucks
Camp A just dislikes them because it's trendy to do so. Camp B admires the roots of the company and what they've done for specialty coffee, but feel the company has long ago lost its way, and become generic, "fast food" (I'm in that camp) Camp C just loves Starbucks and anything they offer Camp D just likes coffee, and Starbucks is as good as any.
I have no problems with vocal criticism of Starbucks - but I always feel it should be backed up with some facts, and not just a cool-kid crowd mentality.
BTW, my prediction on the free wifi for card holders - came true last week! :)
Shellie Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Virginia Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Thu Apr 30, 2009, 11:39am Subject: Re: March Coffeeings and Starbucks Watch! by Mark Prince
I'm glad to see that Starbucks is working on quality and not quantity. (Although the Quad Venti would be amusing to see as their "next big thing") As for the aesthetics of the old brown to the new green, I personally enjoy the green more...A lot of coffee shops go with the brown color scheme.
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