Anacortes, WA 98221
BY "JUAN VALDEZ"
After working for SBUX and then doing this column, I honestly thought there was pretty much nothing I hadn't seen before.
Well, after my visit to the cafe store in Anacortes, Washington, I have to admit I was wrong...I hadn't seen it all.
Anacortes is way up in the northwest corner of Washington state, on the tip of Fidalgo Island. It's a sleepy little fishing town that's grown primarily by annexing pockets of commercial real estate (primarily Sharpe's Corner) that are completely disconnected from the town proper.
So let's figure out what it was I saw that was so unusual.
Normal looking exterior – check
Really crowded back bar (it's one of those unbelievably cramped stores where the back counter and cabinets literally are in your face) – check. I've not reviewed one of these kinds of stores but Ive worked in them. I don't know the general consensus on Starbucks Gossip but I always found them to be yucky to work in simply because there was no room to maneuver./ CONTINUED IN THE FIRST COMMENT
So the answer to the chair question would be?
Posted by: Lindsay | October 23, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Juan!
You should review my old store. Let me see if they're still amazing as they were years ago when I was there...
Store 3365
Smokey Point
3617 172nd Ave NE
Arlington, WA 98223
Posted by: Mrs. Tillinghamshackles | October 23, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Can you try SODO Lobby? The lobby floor of the corporate office should be an interesting one! All their regulars are corporate execs and all the way up to howie himself. Doppio nonfat espresso macchiatto for mr. CEO on the bar... :D
Posted by: Black apron boy | October 24, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Posted by Ashley:
'Vincent -
Have you ever considered that newborns sometimes have to eat while their parents are out and about?'
Certainly. But while the parent and others are working and or enjoying their beverages in the cafe of a SBUX? Maybe I'm missing something here. I've been a regular BUX customer for years and have yet to encounter this scenario. But that's me.
Posted by: Vincent | October 24, 2009 at 01:50 AM
This column is uninteresting to me because it's just Washington area stores. Would have worked a lot better if the author were a traveling businessman and could review Dallas, Philadelphia, Boston, ect stores.
Posted by: Don | October 24, 2009 at 08:04 AM
I think it would be interesting to see a review of all 3 Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, WA Locations, at the same time. Go from one store to another, see how they are different staffed, different promo pushes ect. The ironic thing is Alderwood Mall is 2 Districts (or at least it used to be about a year ago). From my experience the service at the kiosk is a joke, the outside location by food court is just a hangout place and the staff clearly is laid back, and the service by the Coach entrance is the best.
Posted by: Starbucks Lynnwood Review please! | October 24, 2009 at 11:02 PM
@Don
Here are the states that I have visited and reviewed Starbucks so far:
Washington
Oregon
California
Nevada
Montana
Wisconsin
Indiana
Posted by: Juan Valdez | October 25, 2009 at 12:50 AM
@StarbucksLynnwoodReviewer - Just to add to the mix, if Juan should ride up to Alderwood Mall, I think he should hit store #350 - Lynnwood Square. It's a cute little store, with a unique old pre-1992 Siren logo in the front window. I've only been in a couple of times, but has been friendly and quick each time I've been there. I recommend including that store into any Lynnwood, Washington Juan Valdez episode.
Posted by: Melody | October 25, 2009 at 02:42 AM
Juan, come to NJ...especially one of the drive thru stores. Then you'll understand understaffing woes!
Posted by: NJ_newbie | October 25, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Juan - In your list of places you've visited, I thought you'd been to Idaho too? Didn't you visit a Starbucks in Idaho?
@NJ_newbie - I'm reviewing stores too though not as often as Juan, and a different style. Also I too focus on Washington, because I live here. Though, as a rare store review, I just posted a review of store in Southlake, Texas on my website.
Posted by: Melody | October 25, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Melody
No, Ive been through Idaho but didnt have time to stop in a Starbucks.
@Don
I forgot to include my international travels specifically Vancouver BC
Posted by: Juan Valdez | October 25, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Juan, you never answered our questions. Please do.
Thanks,
The Immigration Police
Posted by: Immigration Police | October 25, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Baltimore, MD...
Posted by: Anonymous | October 25, 2009 at 08:10 PM