starbucks

I thought I saw a glimmer of hope this morning when I saw on the news that Starbucks was closing 600 stores nations wide. Glimmer of hope for some Local coffee shops that is. But to no avail, starbucks is unfortunately not closing any stores in the state of CO. Although I drink starbucks...regularly...let me tell you why this drives me nuts.

Longmont, CO has a poplation of around 70,000. There are 13 starbucks within city limits. This includes all of the free standing stores as well as the stores located inside each grocery store. Does starbucks really think that there is a need for that many locations here?? They have managed to knock out nearly every enjoyable alternative. Now existing is only 4 other coffee shops (3 local and 1 a chain) and 2 small shops that serve sandwiches and coffee. These are poor statistics if you ask me.

So get this. Firestone, (where I live just adjacent of Longmont) has a population of 9,000. There are 3 starbucks. There is only1 local coffee shop and its only thriving because it is owned and funded by the church its attached to. Sadly enough, there use to be a really yummy local shop and it went under last summer because the starbucks inside of safeway next to it put it out of business!!

I probably sound like a HUGE coffee drinker and advocate. Thats not really the case. I go to starbucks every wed (that I can make it) With my girl Friends. Unfortunately, we only go there because its the only coffee shop near by thats centrally located (and because they are open until 11pm) But I am so sick of seeing new buildings go up and the whole time its being built your sort of like "oh what is it, I wonder what its going to be" and then Bam. Its one of two things. A bank or a starbucks.

In a nutshell? I'm happy Starbucks has lost a lot of money and being forced to close 600 stores. I hope soon they will close some of the stores locally to us. Not because I want there to be loss of jobs for the people working there (but com'on most of the people working there are collage or high school making 7 bucks an hour I don't think they'll have trouble finding somewhere else to work)
But because I think this could open doors for local entrepreneurs who have always dreamed of opening up shop...and thriving! Good riddens to you Starbucks, its nice to see you go.