Starbucks Gossip

OPEN THREAD conversation-starter: Howard Schultz for president? (PLUS: Halloween at Starbucks)

News reports say a group called Americans Elect is looking to add a third party centrist candidate to the 2012 presidential race, and one of the names being thrown out as a possibility is Howard Schultz. (Americans Elect is a collection of Republicans, Democrats and independents who have had it with the direction of American politics.) The Starbucks CEO would have more appeal than any of the GOP candidates, in my opinion, but I'm skeptical of businessmen who jump into government. YOUR THOUGHTS? Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related -- including your store's Halloween fun -- in the OPEN THREAD.

See how Taiwanese animators portray 'the grossest Starbucks customer in NYC'

Meet the grossest Starbucks customer in NYC

A guy who calls himself Mister PeePee set a goal of masturbating in every Starbucks in New York City, then photographing the results. Don't believe it? You can listen to this self-described "big fan of Starbucks" discuss his plans -- in detail -- on a podcast, and read his results on Twitter.

"I've got to rate the bathroom on cleanliness," Mister PeePee said on The Glory Hole podcast, "and [note] if a person knocked on the door and interrupted me." One of his associates wanted Mister PeePee to also rate "how hot the chicks were in the location -- customers and baristas" and "how frequently did someone try to open the door when you were trying to jerk off." "And lastly, how was the coffee?" added the podcast co-host. (Mister PeePee tweeted at least one of his store ratings: Today's Starbucks visit is rated as a 4 Boner. Spacious, clean, excellent coffee, strong wifi, no interruptions & 1 hot chick)

Listen to the podcast; the Starbucks conversation starts at 1:12 (1 minute, 12 seconds into the podcast).

Scanning Mister PeePee's Twitter feed, we learn that the Starbucks stores he frequents include those at 4 W. 21st St.; and 41 Union Sq. W, at 17th & Broadway. He mentions more of his SBUX hangouts on his Foursquare page.

Does anyone out there know Mister PeePee? If you do, tell us more about him.

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FOLLOW STARBUCKS GOSSIP ON TWITTER

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OPEN THREAD conversation-starters: Craig Ferguson and Starbucks bathrooms; your big Halloween plans

CBS late-night talk show host Craig Ferguson said the other night -- and I read he's said it before -- that the Starbucks at 7624 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles doesn't have public bathrooms because of prostitution problems. Can someone confirm? Are there other stores that have given up on bathrooms because of prostitution, drug or other problems? Discuss this or anything else Starbucks-related -- how about your store's halloween plans? -- in the OPEN THREAD.

Starbucks now gives you 30 days to use those "Sweet 15" free drink cards you get in the mail

Previously, you could hold on to the cards for several months before they expired. (I have several in my computer bag that don't expire until December -- and I've already had them for weeks.) Here's the email that Starbucks sent out:

My Starbucks Rewards fans,

We're fine-tuning a few program benefits and wanted to make sure you knew what was coming. There's a bit more information here than usual, but when it comes to understanding your rewards, we figure more is more.

Starting November 1, 2011:

FREE DRINK ON YOUR BIRTHDAY
Birthdays are special. And we're still celebrating yours with a free drink on your birthday. Hooray! As long as you're an active member (meaning you've used your Starbucks Card within the last 12 months), you'll get a postcard for a free birthday drink. And about a week to use it, in case you need it to be a day-after-your-birthday drink. (Wink.) Check the "valid through" date and come on in for a treat.

FREE DRINK EVERY 15 STARS IN GOLD
The "Sweet 15" free drink is alive and well. The only change here is that you'll now have 30 days to bring in that postcard and enjoy a drink on the house.

KEEP YOUR STARS, KEEP YOUR STATUS

If you're a Green or Gold member, the date you achieved that level is your anniversary date. To keep your Stars and your status, you just need to earn 5 Stars for Green or 30 Stars for Gold over the next 12 months (by your anniversary date next year). If you don't make it, your Stars will expire and you'll drop down a level. But we'll help-we'll send you email reminders of your anniversary date and encouragement to earn those additional Stars to keep the benefits you love. (Be sure to opt in to email.)

TUNE UP!
Now might be a good time to visit your Account Profile, note your anniversary date, track your Stars, reload a card and opt in to receive emails for special offers and announcements.

Thanks for reading.

Wishing you a year full of Stars,
My Starbucks Rewards

Starbucks introduces Starbucks Blonde (seven days after it was announced here)

Starbucks/America president Cliff Burrows says the blonde roast -- first reported on Starbucks Gossip -- "is a significant opportunity for Starbucks to gain a greater share of the brewed coffee market, both in our stores and down the coffee aisle."
> Read "Starbucks unveils blonde roast coffee"

Starbucks pulls posters from stores in France after some call them racist

The poster depicts a drawing of a dark-skinned man surrounded by a backpack, a cell phone, a day planner and a laptop computer. The text reads: “Be on guard against unusual behavior from a stranger. Don’t let pickpockets spoil your moment of relaxation at Starbucks. Keep an eye on your belongings.” Starbucks says the guy is a watchful customer, but others believe the man is the pickpocket. The coffee giant has pulled the posters from stores. I think it's a dumb controversy, but Starbucks was smart to end it quickly. > Starbucks pulls posters from stores in France after some call them racist

"PLAYBOOK IS COMING...forget the coffee; playbook will bury us all...."

That's what "Sally Sulawesi" writes in the comments section of the last thread. Is she being alarmist? Or right-on? There have been mentions of Playbook here since July and it's never been fully explained for Starbucks Gossip readers who aren't SBUX employees. Please tell us exactly what it is, and how it affects customers. ALSO: What are you hearing about the reports that Starbucks is planning juice bars? || Discuss these items or anything else Starbucks-related in this OPEN THREAD.

Is this the 'super big announcement' that's coming from Starbucks? (UPDATE: Yes it is)

A Starbucks Gossip commenter writes: "The super big announcement that is going down is about whole bean coffee and how the categories are going to change. Starbucks is going to offer three different categories -- "blonde," mild and dark roasts. (Starbucks filed for the STARBUCKS BLONDE trademark in February.) There will now be two new coffees offered that are milder than Breakfast Blend. I believe the new category system and new coffee offerings are going to start late this year with an official launch in January 2012." (A commenter says the two new coffees are Veranda Blend and Willow Blend.) Is this report accurate? Let us know.

Starbucks store in Philly is a haven for a once homeless man

"Here I'm part of the establishment -- like Norm in Cheers," 58-year-old Dennis Jones (left) says of the Broad and Pine Starbucks he frequents, up to 14 hours a day. He has earned gold-card customer status for downing up to 50 cups of Pike Place Roast a week. "This month, Jones' star shines even brighter: He's headlining a one-man art show on the walls of the coffee shop that saved him," writes Monica Yant Kinney.

At night, Jones helps baristas stack chairs and take out the trash. "He takes care of my girls," says store manager Carla Gomez. "Anytime we have an unruly customer, Dennis is right there." Does your store have a Dennis Jones-type?
> Read "Coffee shop is a haven for a once homeless man"