Starbucks Gossip

"The largest food launch in Starbucks' history"

That's how Ad Age describes today's new offerings -- an overhaul of 90% of the bakery case at Starbucks stores. What kind of reactions are you getting at your store? Read "Starbucks Continues Food Push With New Menu" || Starbucks' press release || Jump to the second page of comments

"This needs to be stopped for the good of the company"

A Starbucks Gossip reader e-mails: "Could you make a thread on the incorrect ringing of promotional drinks, a topic that caused much discussion in the open thread? The behavior of DMs [District Managers] and RDOs [Regional Director of Operations] in regards to this is borderline criminal and fraudulent, and needs to be stopped for the good of the company." || Jump to second page of comments

Mini Starbucks Card hits stores on June 30

That's Tuesday. Chuck Davidson of the Starbucks Card team says of the new mini-card: "Just clip it to whatever you like (keys, gym bag, etc.) and continue to enjoy your on-the-go lifestyle. ...The Mini Starbucks Card works just like a Starbucks Card; register it to enjoy rewards, benefits and to protect your balance too!" Read "You asked for it: Introducing the Mini Starbucks Card"

Weekend OPEN THREAD: Let's get the coffee-talk going!

Ready for the big July 4 weekend? Discuss your holiday preparations, or anything else Starbucks related in the open thread. || Jump to the second page of comments.

Starbucks wants new stores to be more eco-friendly, have more local materials

"Ultimately, we hope customers will feel an enhanced sense of community, a deeper connection to our coffee heritage and a greater level of commitment to environmental consciousness," says Arthur Rubinfeld,  head of Starbucks' global development. Starbucks will seek LEED certification -- an indication of environmental friendliness -- for all new company-owned stores beginning next year. || Read "Starbucks unveils eco-friendly store designs"

"From the Comfy Chair": Juan visits a Starbucks that Howard would shut down in a second

BY JUAN VALDEZ

Starbucks stores
150 N. Wilma
 Ripon, CA
1402 Colony Road 
Ripon, CA

Does anyone remember Lisa Suender?  She's the professional activist who found her way to Starbucks Gossip a couple of months ago, put up several comments about the fight to save her store on Main street in Ripon, Ca., and, when challenged, finally played the "I'm saving the world – what are you doing?" card before drifting off into the gentle night.

In one of her many posts on the subject, she stated "I know if Howard Schultz came to our store he would know in 5 minutes that this store should not be closed."  And that got me thinking: I wondered what Howard might see if he did go into that store, not with the pre-announced five ring celebrity dog and pony circus that normally accompanies Howard on his travels but, instead, unannounced with no fanfare at all.

Since the chances of that happening approximate the chances of Starbucks getting rid of Frappuccinos, I realized we were going to need someone else to stand in. Being relatively fearless, I jumped at the chance.

In the course of her comment exchange, Lisa finally admitted, after some prodding from yours truly, that there was actually another Starbucks in town so it wasn't as if the town was actually losing a Starbucks – they just didn't like losing the one on the list. Lisa went so far as to say that the other one, supposedly in a truck stop, was entirely unsuitable for the kind of warm, people focused atmosphere which wafted through the halls and walls of her beloved third place. 

So,  I went down to Ripon to see what all the fuss was about. /CONTINUED IN THE FIRST COMMENT

Starbucks' Pike Place is the "unanimous favorite" in a coffee taste-test

Starbucks' mild roast beat Dunkin' Donuts' Original Blend in a taste-test conducted by the St. Petersburg, Florida Times. In the Iced Mocha test, McDonald's was the winner, with Starbucks coming in second. Dunkin' Donuts finished last. || Read "Coffee Wars: Taste test of different coffee products"

"The idea that Starbucks would drive out independents was obviously incorrect"

The Break Espresso coffee shop in Missoula, Mont. -- barely 100 feet down the street from a Starbucks -- is busier than ever, thanks to a great physical space, good coffee, and free Wi-Fi, writes Jonathan Weber. "Last week, we learned the Starbucks would be closing; it couldn't compete with the excellent alternatives. And I don't see that as a good thing." || Read "Frappuccinos Work for Mom and Pop"

Weekend OPEN THREAD: Let's get the chatter going!

Here's another chance to post your rants, questions and observations. Anything Starbucks-related is up for discussion. || Jump to the third page of comments.

"From the Comfy Chair": Finally, Juan has an awesome Starbucks experience

BY JUAN VALDEZ

Starbucks
6637 S. Virginia St.
Reno

And so we complete our little trip down South Virginia Street in Reno. One visit was pretty decent, one was pretty bad so we're down to the rubber match. Which will win the series? It all rests in the hands of the partners at 6637 S. Virginia St. 

I'm pleased to announce that this store tipped the scales firmly in the direction of good. 

This was an awesome visit. From the moment I stepped through the automatic doors at the entrance (no chance of ripping my right arm off here) I knew this was gonna be a good one. 

To start with, they were sampling. Wow...only the third store out of just under 30 that have been sampling when I walked in. And I got a hearty hello from the bar partner as I walked past on my way to the register.  I already had a smile on my face and I hadn't even started looking around. 

The pastry and cold cases were spiffy nifty; clean and well stocked. The dining room was clean. The bathroom was clean. The condiment bar was clean. The window ledges were clean. There was a window sign that was askew and someone actually came out and fixed it.  I'm  not being sarcastic when I say I was impressed.

Even better,  the store stayed clean; not out of sheer, blind luck but, instead, because someone kept coming out from behind the counter and made sure it stayed that way. 

The gal at the register was nice and friendly. She connected with me. She was willingly explained the differences between bold coffee and PPR without missing a beat. It was clear she wanted to make sure I got the right cup of coffee for my tastes. After declining PPR, I got my latte in about a minute and a half along with a  hearty thank you and well wishes for the day. /CONTINUED IN THE FIRST COMMENT BELOW