Starbucks spat in Palm Beach is old money vs. new money
Some say the debate over Starbucks in Palm Beach -- should it be allowed in town? -- is merely a clash between old and new money on the island, between the older residents who drive the staid Bentleys and the younger crowd who drive Ferraris. "The old guard likes the quaintness and the new guard likes the slick," says Town Council member Susan Markin, one of the two who originally voted against the Starbucks. "There's always a battle between the quaint and the slick." (Read the story at sptimes.com)
Too bad they can't coexist! :) I like both; starbucks and small non-chain places.
Posted by: Mia | October 01, 2006 at 08:03 PM
Palm Beach sucks anyway. If you're gonna go anywhere in FL, head to Jacksonville for the strip clubs or Miami for South Beach.
Posted by: Dave | October 02, 2006 at 01:02 AM
Totally off topic, but I just wonder what other customers think of these comparison tidbits:
Starbucks
1) Free WiFi: No
2) Free Coffee Refills: No ($0.50)
3) Cozy Fireplace: No
4) Too-loud Music Piped In: Yes
5) Issues Coupons: Rarely
6) Light Roast Coffee Available
After Noon?: No
Caribou Coffee
1) Free WiFi: Yes! - many locations
2) Free Coffee Refills: Yes!
3) Cozy Fireplace: Yes!
4) Too-loud Music Piped In: No!
5) Issues Coupons: Often!
6) Light Roast Coffee Available
After Noon?: Yes!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 02, 2006 at 05:55 AM
Jennifer, what the hell is the point of that one? oh and, light roast after noon at starbucks? yes!
Posted by: | October 02, 2006 at 06:53 AM
The Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Starbucks has a "cozy fireplace."
Posted by: STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster | October 02, 2006 at 07:03 AM
Jennifer-
4) If the music is too loud, ask a barista to lower it..not a big deal.
6) Light roast coffee in afternoon- most stores have it. I've only worked in one store that would dump it after noon but then the DM changed it, so all stores should have mild coffee until close.
Why don't you write to corporate about the fireplace? I like that idea as well.
Posted by: Florida Barista | October 02, 2006 at 07:49 AM
I'll preface this by stating that 99.9% of my starbuck's purchases are in Chicago and Evanston, IL. None of the starbuck's that I frequent have the light roast available in the afternoon, at least in the caffinated form.
Posted by: Q | October 02, 2006 at 12:41 PM
We usually drop light roast around 10 pm (an hour before close) but that tends to be because we run out of it (we grind more dark than light)
Posted by: | October 02, 2006 at 01:23 PM
There are some Starbucks' that have a cozy fireplace. Depends on the size of the store.
Thankfully, Starbucks doesn't need coupons to generate sales. :)
Does Caribou offer a discount if you bring your own coffee mug? Have reloadable debit cards so a customer doesn't have to pay in cash or charge a $2.00 drink?
Posted by: jafc | October 02, 2006 at 06:30 PM
I'm in Northern Illinois not all that far from Chicago. Our State St, store never has the Mild after 2pm, but will always offer to brew me a fresh pot.
The Machesney Park store does have the mild all day, and if they've run out will always make me more.
Not to mention that they'll french press you whatever you want, all you have to do is ask.
Posted by: BaristaBess | October 03, 2006 at 08:36 AM
Who needs a fireplace in Palm Beach, FLORIDA?
Posted by: | October 04, 2006 at 05:20 PM
Starbucks Annapolis has a fireplace.
Posted by: Renee | October 28, 2006 at 10:39 AM
I really think that Caribou Coffee has a chance to challenge the Starbucks supremacy. I go to Caribou almost every day, love the atmosphere, the employees, and most of all, the coffee. After many comparisons, my final take is this...
Caribou has much better coffee.
Starbucks has much better cold drinks.
It'll be interesting to see what Starbucks does when Caribou hits the 1,000 store number. It's probably reach this target by 2009 or so.
Ciao.
Posted by: Nino | December 03, 2006 at 05:54 PM
Why is CARIBOU better than starbucks?
Two Words: RAINFOREST ALLIANCE...
Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee is grown on farms where forests are PROTECTED, rivers, soils and wildlife CONSERVED; workers are treated with RESPECT, PAID DECENT WAGES, properly EQUIPPED and given access to EDUCATION and MEDICAL CARE.
On the opposite side of the spectrum what can starbuck's "beloved" fair trade coffee say? "We trade fair"? Well congratulations on not ripping people off.
CARIBOU GOES BEYOND JUST TRADING FAIRLY AND MAKES A TRUE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES AND VILLAGES OF THEIR FARMERS http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/
Posted by: CASEY | April 17, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Caribou rules. If there is Caribou near a Starbucks, I will pick Caribou every time. All the reasons that Jennifer mentioned, plus better tasting coffee.
The key to the above is the "if there is a..." 'The Buck' is much more prevalent than 'The Bou'... there are many cities that Caribou hasn't entered yet. So, for now those people don't know what they are missing.
Posted by: Mike | May 13, 2008 at 08:14 AM