"Starbucks is the best thing that ever happened to coffee", according to the owner of one small coffee shop in Seattle.

At first, such a remark seems strange, coming from someone who should be, by most popular accounts, concerned about being driven out of business by the coffee giant. Yet this is not the case, as he goes on to explain that Starbucks "pioneered the idea of paying up to $5 for a cup" of specialty coffee, a concept that would have run most coffee shops out of business years ago, as people were used to paying much less. The chain also raised general coffee awareness, which allowed smaller shops to thrive in even Starbucks-dense areas by promoting artisanal coffees and providing a neighborhood alternative, which many consumers appreciated. Indeed, at some coffee shops, almost all of the customers are "regulars."

Starbucks spokespeople say that they do nothing to discourage competitors, a position which is supported by the fact that many businesses thrive only doors down from the corporate cafes. The loss of some shops would indicate a process or natural selection, with interest in a perhaps low-quality product waning as the standards of the area increase. The shops that succeed make good coffee, often offer it at prices similar to Starbucks, and "a selling point of being small," something that they couldn't do without coffee giant.

Starbucks' seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte, which returned to stores just a few weeks ago, is one of their most popular flavors. While it doesn't exactly taste like pumpkin, the flavors are undeniably reminiscent of fall and the upcoming holiday season. It's so popular, that other coffee chains are adding pumpkin drinks to their menus, too. The LA-based Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has just introduced their Pumpkin Pie Latte and Pumpkin Pie Ice Blended drinks, which will be available only through November 1. Their drinks are flavored with a thick pumpkin spice sauce, which is sort of similar to the banana puree that they used to make their summery banana drinks - it's not like adding a scoop of pumpkin, so don't worry if you prefer your coffee without vegetables. Peet's Coffee and Tea, another west coast chain, is scheduled to release some pumpkin spiced drinks within the next couple of weeks, as well.

The band KISS recently announced that they are opening a coffeehouse in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The shop, described by the band as "the most outrageous coffee and dessert shop ever constructed" will open its doors to KISS fans and the curious on Tuesday, June 27th - though those going just to take a look might want to be careful, since the shop is said to be "an official KISS Army recruiting office," though Gene Simmons said that "even the non-enlisted will find our treats and java rockin' good!" 

There will be KISS memorabilia, costumes and 20-foot tall smoking KISS boots (outside, not in the eating area). On the menu will be the KISS Cocoa, a variety of branded coffee blends and KISS Frozen Rockuccinos, icy blended beverages that are probably the signature drink of the shop and come in flavors like French Kiss Vanilla, British Toffee Invasion, Moka and Firehouse S'mores. There will also be a variety of cookies, brownies, cupcakes and other pastries and desserts.

From the look of their website, it seems as though they are already looking for ways to expand and possibly even for franchisees.

 

 

I have no problems at all with Starbucks coffee and am often glad to see their sign on the horizon, particularly when I travel. Like it or not, Starbucks is a big part of the reason that it is easy to find a decent cup of coffee just about anywhere. Even if you are served a bad brew - for whatever reason - not only will the Starbucks baristas will replace the offending beverage, but it will still beat the burnt, week-old, brown sludge or faintly flavored hot water that was somehow able to pass for coffee in many places only a few short years ago. This is not to say that there are not places that make better coffee, just that Starbucks helped to raise the bar overall.

I have met many people who claim to dislike them "on principle", despite the fact that the majority of them cannot actually verbalize what their "principle" actually is. Some certainly can converse about their desire to see even more social responsibility or ways to further improve employee benefits, but the ubiquity of Starbucks is generally the favored topic of argument. Overhearing these irate rants can be an amusing experience when they occur inside a Starbucks from the mouths of people awaiting their Frappuccino or their extra hot, extra wet, no foam Venti "cappuccino", which they are unaware is actually a latte. Perhaps they are just annoyed with less-than-instantaneous service, though people who expect a decent coffee or espresso beverage should be willing to wait at least a moment or two for it to be prepared.

But I digress.

I like to call the Red and Black Cafe in Portland, Ore. the Socialist coffee shop. It's a subversive place full of ratty couches, angry radicals and server-owners who are forever forgetting what you've ordered. But the food, well, it's worth all the trouble. Like this homemade organic granola, served with its own pitcher of milk. It's crunchy, nutty, with plump raisins, and just the teeniest bit sweet (never with refined white sugar), the very epitome of health. And delicious to boot. Get it with a pot of one of the house blend herbal teas... even though that will take an extra 10 minutes and you'll have to remind your server at least twice. You'll still thank me for turning you on to the Red and Black.

[Photo Sarah Gilbert]