Their profit margin still exists, barely, and it looks like they'll actually be fine going forward. Not that I care, as I don't drink coffee or go to Starbucks (just being in one for too long will trip my coffee allergy).
The mouse puts me in mind of the owner of the local roastery I adore. He doesn't go in for that twee "more barista than thou" horseshit, and if you start yapping about what temperature you want your mocha (as if you could fucking tell!), he'll laugh at you and tell you that Starbucks is at the mall, shut your yap and let him do his job.
There are only 2 Starbucks in the entire Florida Keys, one in Key Largo and one in Key West. This market seems like the ideal place for several Starbucks. I wonder why the infestation isn't worse.
Not a crash and burn. They're writing down a ton of operating costs including major equipment upgrades and the costs of a lot of closing and relocation from finally recovering from too-fast expansion. Their profit is down significantly, but it is in fact profit. They still made many millions of dollars above their operating costs, and one-quarter writedowns don't by nature recur.
It's a sign of weakness, but it's not going anywhere. And speaking for American New England Liberals everywhere, hurrah. Because I loves me the skinny hazelnut latte.
I stopped into one on the way back from from hurrying to and from the bus station so I didn't miss the last express. It was hot and miserable and I was getting rained on and I didn't have time to go three blocks out of my way to hit a Second Cup.
The guy behind the counter was very polite, very patient, and managed to figure out what I wanted and get me something... I'm not sure exactly what, but it was strawberry-flavoured and a cold slushie, and I think he said something about a vanilla base to one of the other people.
Don't go there often, but I've never had them be anything but polite and helpful when I do go.
agreed. I actually made pretty good friends with about half the baristas at the Starbucks by my house. My drink is a really easy one to make and I'd come in every two days minimum, so everyone remembered me. When I had to move across country, I gave everyone there a little homemade apple or pecan pie, because they were all so friendly.
There's no Starbucks at all on this godforsaken Island (PEI, may you rot in hell), and I miss good chai. If they're gone when I get back to Saskatoon, I'm going to be pissed off. Those guys know how to do customer service.
Unless your barista hates you, a lot, you don't pay $5 for coffee at Starbucks. I love how people keep repeating it though - it's like some Dunkin' Donuts submeme brainwashing.
If you pay $5 for a Starbucks drink, it's a good sized espresso drink with some kind of flavouring.
And yes, this kind of thing bugs me. It's the same exaggerated bullshit lies and imaginings as calling Obama a Muslim or Marxist.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 01:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 01:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 01:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 01:31 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 01:59 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 02:02 pm (UTC)(True fact: the Barnes & Noble in the mall at Copley in Boston has two Starbuckses in it.)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 03:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 03:07 pm (UTC)The mouse puts me in mind of the owner of the local roastery I adore. He doesn't go in for that twee "more barista than thou" horseshit, and if you start yapping about what temperature you want your mocha (as if you could fucking tell!), he'll laugh at you and tell you that Starbucks is at the mall, shut your yap and let him do his job.
The line is always out the door.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 03:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 03:18 pm (UTC)Rat is awesome.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 04:04 pm (UTC)It's a sign of weakness, but it's not going anywhere. And speaking for American New England Liberals everywhere, hurrah. Because I loves me the skinny hazelnut latte.
The drip coffee still tastes like crotch, though.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 05:00 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 05:11 pm (UTC)The guy behind the counter was very polite, very patient, and managed to figure out what I wanted and get me something... I'm not sure exactly what, but it was strawberry-flavoured and a cold slushie, and I think he said something about a vanilla base to one of the other people.
Don't go there often, but I've never had them be anything but polite and helpful when I do go.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 05:37 pm (UTC)There's no Starbucks at all on this godforsaken Island (PEI, may you rot in hell), and I miss good chai. If they're gone when I get back to Saskatoon, I'm going to be pissed off. Those guys know how to do customer service.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 05:47 pm (UTC)If you pay $5 for a Starbucks drink, it's a good sized espresso drink with some kind of flavouring.
And yes, this kind of thing bugs me. It's the same exaggerated bullshit lies and imaginings as calling Obama a Muslim or Marxist.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 07:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 08:03 pm (UTC)Now, if they really want to do something radical, they might reduce prices to something sane.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-11 09:08 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-11-12 08:12 pm (UTC)roffle