>>Their target clientele won’t be able to sustain their apart and above self image if Starbucks becomes known as a hangout for that segment of society more unhip than the dreaded People of Walmart.<<
The one thing that terrifies liberals is to actually have to be in the physical presence of the hoi palloi they purpote to love.
Worse than that is to have their fellow hipsters see and know that they were in the presence of the uncool. That would make them also uncool - a fate worse than death. It risks shunning by the pinnacle fashionistas.