Starbucks bought the small, Italian-style cafe chain in 2003. Torrefazione — which operates 17 stores in the Northwest, California, Chicago and Boston — aims to re-create the classic Italian coffee-bar experience, replete with espresso drinks served in ceramic cups. I used to frequent one in downtown Chicago and liked it a lot. Sorry to see them go. (Seattle Times)
June 14, 2005
ummm...the dallas store has been closed for months. keep UP!
Posted by: yo | June 16, 2005 at 12:41 PM
Maybe, but not all of them have been closed for a long time...
Posted by: Laura | June 16, 2005 at 09:27 PM
How funny; I knew that the clique-network of grunge/Europeanate narcissists governing the chain would burn itself out at some point....
Posted by: RL | July 15, 2005 at 10:07 AM
It's a sad day for coffee drinkers. Torrefazione offered a great place for meeting and running into neighbors and others from the community. It also offered a much improved product from most coffee houses. Starbucks decision really makes no sense. Why did they bother purchasing Torrefazione in the first place?
Posted by: Jimmy Jazz | August 17, 2005 at 12:46 PM
Friday, Sept 23:
19 Years and 1 week ago from today, TI opened its first store in Pioneer Square. Today that store closes and we are gathering there at 10AM to offer our condolences - please join us!
Posted by: bye TI | September 23, 2005 at 10:59 AM
So will the original owners -- the ones who sold out to Starbucks because they saw an unsustainable business model that would eventually sink them as a small chain -- be there to say goodbye as well. I'm just wondering, is all.
Posted by: | September 23, 2005 at 02:16 PM
Now that Starbucks has swallowed Torrezione Italia, can someone tell me which Starbucks blends compare with the TI blends? Which starbucks blend is the same as Palermo (TI).
Posted by: Shidrool | June 12, 2006 at 12:48 PM