[JAMES LILEKS] Making do with fewer Starbucks

Minneapolis Star Tribune ^ | July 19, 2008 | JAMES LILEKS

[rhema]

We have been bracing for the list of closings, and it was finally revealed: 27 Starbucks outlets will be shuttered in Minnesota, leaving only 45,234. Hasta barista, baby.

The effect on the Twin Cities will be light -- the average citizen will still be within six minutes of a $4 cup of coffee at all times. Productivity will not suffer as people slump over at their desks from lack of jitter-juice. The people you have to pity -- aside from the employees, who probably can't fill a bathtub now without thinking "room for cream?" and won't soon find another job requiring that question -- are the folks in the small towns who will lose a piece of the outside world.

A Strib story last week by Emma Carew told the plight of Albert Lea teens mourning the loss of their coffee shop.

And you can understand why: Starbucks was like an embassy of a country where people sat around and read foreign newspapers, like the Wall Street Journal, and discussed things. . . .

[lormand]

got a free cup from Starbucks this morning cause the “bold” brew was just starting and barista thought it was a good courtesy service...

[The Great RJ]

Certainly the federal government should step in and bail out Starbucks. It isn’t fair that those living in outstate Minnesota and other rural areas should be deprived of their latte. (sarcasm)

[fings]

I admit, I used to be a Starbucks addict. I stopped when I realized the ridiculous amount of money I was spending. And on coffee! I’ll go once in a while now, but not too often. Although, here in Atlanta you’re probably only about a one minute drive from one.

[Red Boots]

If your favorite Starbucks is closing, you can even make coffee at home, and pretend you're the barista. Can I start a coffee beverage for me? Yes, I can. What would I like? Er, coffee. Do I want light roast, or the dark roast made from shade-grown fair-trade beans that were passed through the digestive system of a civet? Um, the first one. The Folgers.

It's not the same, but if you set four dollar bills on fire while you do it, it's close.

LOL. His sarcasm is of the highest quality.

[Minn]

I thought the Strib canned Lileks. They must have been forced to bring him back when they realized he is one of the few reasons half of their potential readership would ever pick up their paper.

[rhema]

Same here, last week, from a Starbucks that’s on the closure list. The barista told me it would be five minutes before the new pot of dark roast would be done, and he handed me a coupon for a complimentary cup on my next visit.

[rhema]

I thought the Strib canned Lileks. They must have been forced to bring him back when they realized he is one of the few reasons half of their potential readership would ever pick up their paper.

When you're awash in red ink, it's probably a good idea to heed at least a few of your remaining readers' requests.

[Incorrigible]

Hasta barista, baby

LOL!

.

[rhema]

I admit, I used to be a Starbucks addict. I stopped when I realized the ridiculous amount of money I was spending. And on coffee! I’ll go once in a while now, but not too often. Although, here in Atlanta you’re probably only about a one minute drive from one.

I've imposed the fiscal discipline of "tall dark roast" (nothing bigger and fancier) on myself.

[Constitution Day]

HA!

You are quick! I was just getting ready to ping it.
(I’m on my lunch hour, so I actually have time to read FR)

[Cicero]

I think they did can him. The must have decided to hire him back when they found that his blog had more visitors than their newspaper.

[rhema]

Lileks and Katherine Kersten are easily the best facets of the financially struggling Strib.

[Constitution Day]

The Bleat

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Lileks Ping!
If you'd like to be added or removed, just drop me a line...

[Radl]

$4.00 for coffee? It cost me about $1.40 at Starbucks.

[rhema]

Certainly the federal government should step in and bail out Starbucks. It isn’t fair that those living in outstate Minnesota and other rural areas should be deprived of their latte. (sarcasm)

If not federal, at least state-originated. I may have to ask the moderator to remove your post. If a liberal Minnesota legislator happens to chance upon this thread, you can bet there'll be a Starbucks bailout bill in the next legislative session.

[Bigoleelephant]

They never canned him. They moved him to different duties. He runs the trib site called Buzz.mn. It is a local site with local flavor. I read it every day and I live in Dallas. He's just good. He also wrote little 300 word columns for a while about crime and such.

Luckily the powers that be saw the error of their ways and gave him his column back.

[JackOfVA]

They moved him to the Star-Tribune web site about a year or so ago, where he runs it. http://www.buzz.mn/ This was after his “Backfence” column was terminated and he was assigned as a general reporter, due to a reduction in force at the Star-Tribune. That didn’t last long, which lead to the Buzz.mn position. He is now back to writing a column or two a week for the Star-Tribune in addition to the buzz.mn work.

And, of course, there’s his blog at http://www.lileks.com/

Jack

[macamadamia]

Just as pathetic as the smug liberal in a fetal position around his Starbucks mug is the malcontent on the outside who hates the place, never goes in, obsesses over its customers, and revels in its failings. I don't get why some people care so much about businesses they "don't care about."

[Red in Blue PA]

Friend don’t let friends drink Starbucks.