A Seattle barista has become a one-woman marketing campaign for Via instant coffee

Barista Gabrielle Evans serves coffee bedecked in a necklace and earrings made from Via packets to help her store win a Via sales contest. A four-year Starbucks employee, she's in college now but dreams of someday working for corporate. || IN DEFENSE OF VIA: The instant coffee has been bashed on this site, but I'm appreciating it while in Amsterdam, where there's no Starbucks (except at the airport). The hotel bathroom water is hot enough to make a decent cup of coffee, and save me from the 10 euro room-service coffee. Read "As Starbucks brand slips, a barista creates marketing magic"

Comments

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

I wonder how many dates she gets?
My pickup line for a customer who comes into Starbucks,
"Its my first time in Starbucks"
"Don't worry, I'll make it good for you."

[inopethflames]

she looks plump but not ugly.

anybody know what the new frappuccino flavors will be and when theyre coming out? thanks.

[Starbucksgossip webmaster]

A preemptive reminder: No personal attacks.

[Me]

Someone is fighting for her job, no matter the cost to her own dignity...

[Nanaim]

Good for her, I really don't see a need to bash her for what she's doing?

[GRTL]

Ooh...almost as bad as standing out in front of your store wearing a banana costume.

[j]

Oh god no lady? why!? dont let them brainwash u!

[Hirayuki]

I got my Via samples the other day and had the Italian roast iced; it was fine. Its texture is more similar to those Crystal Light water-bottle drop-ins than to traditional instant coffee. It dissolved quickly and tasted dandy. I don't know if I'd use it for everything--I work at home and can brew up a cup by any one of at least four methods whenever I like--but it would be good on the go or when I get the urge for iced coffee right this very minute (and don't want to drive up to my local Starbucks).

That's not to say I'd wear the stuff, though!

[Coffee Soldier]

I think that barista is great. She's obviously engaged in her job and I bet getting as many hours as she wants because she's fun and making sales for her store. There is some big VIA incentive going on as well for VIA stores so why wouldn't they want to win.

Go Girl!!!

[Chips N Qasa]

This Wetsite is So Stupid.

[ash_sk8s]

Chips N Qasa -

Then why visit?

[SBUX Alum Bill]

Can't fault her enthusiasm, but I bet she'll be jaded and cynical within 12 months if she does land her "dream job" at the SSC!

[Kathy]

I like VIA, I have a disability and cannot stand long enough some days to grind and brew a pot so VIA is perfect on those days. I like both brews but think the Columbian is my fav

[sample cup]

I'm glad to see that there are partners who can still have enthusiasm for their job despite all the negative things they could pick at. Kudos!

[Chirp]

Personal attacks are rude and stupid especially contradictory when you ask about frapp flavors in the same post! LOL

Via is a great adjunct to our lineup and a nice shift from promoting "new" blended themes.
As a 20+ year vet with Starbucks, still working the front lines, I respect VIA and think it was a good move.
I love my aged Kalossi in a press but if I am on the move, Via is fast and suprisingly tasty!

Props to her and her efforts!

[D. Reyna @ Dallas, TX]

Hello there Starbuckoos!!
I wanted to know if I'm the only one that didn't/hasn't rec'd my FREE VIA instant coffee during the release trial on March 3rd. I completed the online request but, never rec'd :( My local Starbucks did not have any samples left to give away when I got there after work.

[cactusmush]

Ok…anyone who can’t find a good cup of coffee in Amsterdam either: a) hasn’t left the hotel room yet or b) has absolutely no taste in coffee. Which maybe explains why the commentator makes “coffee” out of warm tap water. There was once a time that any adult older than 16 would know the reason why one does not make coffee, tea or any drink out of warm tap water. There is a reason why kettles exist…but if you have to ask…..look it up.

What’s next…go to Vienna and lament the lack of access to Twinkies. Or go to France and complain that it is hard to find cheese-whiz. Or…go to Amsterdam and complain that it is hard to find a “coffee” at Starbucks. Instead consume “Coffee Product” crystals and warm tap water. Well done…

While I applaud VIA’s great potential to radically improve the in-Store coffee Processes for Sbux (and hence their profit) – having been in Amsterdam myself I found little problem at all finding good coffee. Hint 1: coffee does not have to be served in 16 oz pails. The coffee in The Netherlands is served in smaller portions and stronger – similar to a “half full Americano” - accept tastier than any Americano you would get at Sbux or any other chain in North America. Hint 2: look for real fresh pastries and not the masonry “scones” Sbux serves. Hint 3: coffee “to go” is not common…count on chilling out with a “Koffie” in the shop or patio. Hint 4: try the condensed milk the Dutch add to coffee – instead of normal milk or cream. Very tasty.

But drink VIA in Europe? Sure…and for dinner go find the nearest McDonalds while you are at it.

[green_cup]

yeah, this woman clearly needs a hobby.

when work takes over your life like this, it's time to draw boundaries.

oh well. as long as she's (temporarily) happy.

ps: you won't find those earrings at tiffany, though. i can promise you that.

[white_knight]

wow..four years, and this is what it does to you. despite the fact that working at starbucks has become more of a job and less of that third place environment they led us to believe. wow, i congratulate her on her happiness, this is what we need at my store..we dont even use the green apron cards and my SM scratched them out from our order..ugh.

[Leana]

I'd love to help anyone sell a few extra via for their store, if they're willing to ship it to me.
Leanalynn@gmail.com

[Aaron]

What's really sad is that she's doing this for a huge corporation that's paying her very little and respects her even less -- she's just as disposable to Starbucks as last season's discounted coffee mugs. She ought to work for a local, independent coffee shop that would genuinely appreciate her efforts -- a place where her enthusiasm would make a real difference and not just prop up Starbucks' increasingly questionable business practices.

[CamSpi]

Ha, Gabrielle, youre the bomb girl! So funny! Seems like you've got a great sense of humor.

[Papi Grandito]

I'm wondering if there's VIA packets underneath her clothes as well, maybe like a VIA thong of some sort...Hmmm tasty!!

[lisa]

how pretentious and desperate to appear authentic. so someone wants to drink their freaking starbucks coffee in amsterdam. i'm sure all the europeans in the "koffie" shop were impressed with your fannypack and aging hippie ponytail.

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP WEBMASTER]

Dear Lisa, Your bitter, spinster-ish nature is coming out.

Sorry, I've never owned a fannypack, and have never had a ponytail.

Oh, the coffee I prefer to drink here (once out of the hotel room) is Illy.

Have a problem with that?

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

I think somebody here is a tool.

[(former) FLA SM]

When I look at that picture, with that slightly desperate look in her face, I swear I can hear her whisper through clenched teeth "Please call the police! They have a gun to my back right now!" Go back up and look at the picture & you'll see what I mean.

[spence]

She's young. She's enthusiastic. Good for her. She just needs to remember. . . Starbucks is not a career. It can be a fun current job.

[steele]

will she be POQ? or did they get rid of that as well with everything.

[i need a doppio con panna!]

but green cup, she is one of your motivated ones making sure that HER spot in the company is secure and you fault her for that instead of promoting to a higher position? i think if that's what she needs to do right now to save her job then go get it, i know a lot that have done more embarrassing things for less. i think via is good for the product and if it will keep this company afloat then more power to the instant!!!!!

VIVA LA VIA!!!!!

[Just a Shift]

All this talk of coffee shops in Amsterdam and no one has made a pot reference yet? Now I see why SBUX doesn't feel the need to drug test employees ;)

BTW, I got my free Via samples in the mail on Saturday. Keep watching your mailbox, D. Reyna.

[Coffee Soldier]

I can't believe the negativity in half of the comments on here....Way to support a fellow partner guys. The more VIA she sells the more profitable our company becomes and the more hours you'll all get and more valuable your stock options become. It's too bad half the partners on here don't have half as much enthusiasm as this partner.

[spence]

Coffee Soldier, I remember when I came to this site to learn the inside scoop. Now, it's a rag magazine. People aren't coming here anymore to learn things. They are coming here to complain.
No offense Webmaster. You aren't the writer.

[Tim]

The more I drink VIA, the more it grows on me =)

[Javaccino]

The article doesn't say anything about the poor young lady walking around Amsterdam with Via packets around her neck. She wears it at work. It seems to me like a clever way to sell a product.

On a less serious note, what's wrong with you people, don't you know that the only place in any town on the globe to get a decent cup of coffee is Starbucks? ;-)

[Bearista]

Coffee Soldier, I remember when I came to this site to learn the inside scoop. Now, it's a rag magazine. People aren't coming here anymore to learn things. They are coming here to complain.
No offense Webmaster. You aren't the writer.
Posted by: spence | March 24, 2009 at 01:56 PM

EXACTLY!!! I miss the way this site used to be.

[Enough Already]

PLEASE stop pushing this (Via)on me. I go through drive-thru and they ask. I say no, then they ask again at the window! It is annoying!

[Nanaimo]

I'm drinking VIA right now. I'm planning on bringing a few packs to the Dominican Republic with me in April. I think its great for campers, hikers, travellers. I don't think it's great fr people that come on this website, looking for something to complain about. Why is that? Because, it's another thing to complain about. Try this next time your going through the drive thru:

Barista: Would you like to add a pack of VIA to your order?

You: No thanks.

Barista: No problem.

[me]

I miss the way Starbucks used to be.

That's where all this complaining is coming from. But as someone else already mentioned here, they are trying to get rid of everyone who knows enough to complain about things in today's Starbucks. In about a year, the complaining will stop. Then they will have brainwashed everyone that is still employed (or made them at least shut up somehow, preferably by leadership through threatening).

I miss the old starbucksgossip, too. But I miss the old Starbucks even more. And this is why I'm here complaining.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

We all hope that Starbucks doesn't hang itself with Via.

[green_cup]

i would say she's a huge cheerleader for starbucks. gigantic, even.

[S-to-the-M]

Media photo-op and she wears a WHITE undershirt under a BLACK shirt.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Besides that, I think she's awesome.

[Darleen]

When I look at that picture, with that slightly desperate look in her face, I swear I can hear her whisper through clenched teeth "Please call the police! They have a gun to my back right now!" Go back up and look at the picture & you'll see what I mean.

ONG! When I read this I laughed so hard my coffee came out of my nose!! Too funny (former) FLA SM, too funny!!!!

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

Yes, she's a huge cheerleader for Starbucks but not as big as you know who...

[Green_cup]

Who'd that be, BSR?

[vivavia]

S-to-the-M: What's wrong with wearing a white undershirt under a black shirt?

[Coffee Soldier]

You have to wear white on white or black on black for any visable undershirt or long sleeve shirt under your work shirt. It's clearly in the dress code policy yet I see it broken very often.

[(former) FLA SM]

vivavia: according to the dress code, if you wear one shirt over another one, and they are both visible, they both have to be the same color.

[maggiemunkee]

green_cup,

stop with the "subtle" fat hate. seriously. grow up.

[jamisonh]

stop whining everybody! we r lucky to have good jobs! people are so spoiled, schultz and starbucks are trying. everyone is hurting right now. be appreciative. if u hate your job, leave, and let someone else who would love to have it, take it!