THE BORE

General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: The Fake Shemp on July 02, 2008, 04:29:47 PM

Title: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: The Fake Shemp on July 02, 2008, 04:29:47 PM: No, baristas, no! :(
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Phoenix Dark on July 02, 2008, 04:32:30 PM: We've got like 5 within 30miles here. smh
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Eric P on July 02, 2008, 04:34:10 PM: http://www.starbucks.com/retail/find/LocatorResults.aspx?fs=1&loc=22304|38.809336354592965|-77.1159912768405

shudder
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: The Fake Shemp on July 02, 2008, 04:34:21 PM: That's not crazy, dude. There are five within three miles of me!
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Ganhyun on July 02, 2008, 04:35:25 PM: I'm lucky, closest starbucks to me is like 30 min to an hour no matter which way I go. Yay! (I dont drink coffee btw)
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: The Fake Shemp on July 02, 2008, 04:36:12 PM: You know it's bad when Starbucks is shutting down.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Mupepe on July 02, 2008, 04:37:24 PM: when I put in my zip code, 23 of them popped up. the furthest one i found is like maybe 5 miles away
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Tucah on July 02, 2008, 04:37:51 PM: There are no less than five Starbucks within a ten minute walking distance from my college. Including TWO at the same Barnes and Noble.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: MrAngryFace on July 02, 2008, 04:43:51 PM: Starbucks reached oversaturation. The timing is mere coincidence.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: DJ_Tet on July 02, 2008, 04:49:24 PM: Quote from: The Iconistrator on July 02, 2008, 04:43:51 PM
Starbucks reached oversaturation. The timing is mere coincidence.

I agree with that to a point. The economy is forcing the hand for many though, the days of $4 coffees are over for a lot of people. Sux for Starbux

Definitely way too many stores, though.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Kestastrophe on July 02, 2008, 04:53:16 PM: i'm not that surprised since they cannabalize alot of their own market and penetration has to be pretty saturated.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: MrAngryFace on July 02, 2008, 04:58:13 PM: Quote from: DJ_Tet on July 02, 2008, 04:49:24 PM
Quote from: The Iconistrator on July 02, 2008, 04:43:51 PM
Starbucks reached oversaturation. The timing is mere coincidence.

I agree with that to a point. The economy is forcing the hand for many though, the days of $4 coffees are over for a lot of people. Sux for Starbux

Definitely way too many stores, though.

Its 'only' 600 stores. I know that sounds silly, but this is Starbucks.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: duckman2000 on July 02, 2008, 05:01:22 PM: I have yet to meet a Starbucks "barista" who hasn't seemed to really, really loathe his/her job, and the customers.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on July 02, 2008, 05:02:09 PM: I live within five miles of twelve Starbucks.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
And one Crab Cooker.
[close]
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Bacon on July 02, 2008, 05:05:08 PM: A couple of beautiful baristas came into the office yesterday and gave me a bunch of free iced coffee/espresso/frap things, so Starbucks can't be doing that bad.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: MrAngryFace on July 02, 2008, 05:08:49 PM: Yeah there's a lot of attractive women at the one I frequent, its pretty awesome.

Starbucks also stressed they plan to relocate employees to stores staying open, which means it cant be all that bad. Im not certain one of the companies most DUE for a scaleback is cause for alarm.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Rman on July 02, 2008, 05:11:21 PM: 214 stores within my 5 mile radius. JEEZ.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on July 02, 2008, 05:40:14 PM: (http://i32.tinypic.com/20tnubo.jpg)
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: MrAngryFace on July 02, 2008, 05:43:00 PM: CRAB COOKER
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Himu on July 02, 2008, 05:48:49 PM: White people committing suicide across the nation. Black people rise up and buy Starbucks.

Would would happen if a nicca bought Starbucks?

White person: I ain't goin to that Starbucks. I like my coffee black but not that goddamn black! Mega cocoa n1gga loco my ass.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Great Rumbler on July 02, 2008, 05:50:54 PM: There are only 2 Starbucks in my area and both of them are about 20 miles away.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: MrAngryFace on July 02, 2008, 05:51:01 PM: I only drink coffee black.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Himu on July 02, 2008, 05:52:12 PM: Quote from: The Iconistrator on July 02, 2008, 05:51:01 PM
I only drink coffee black.

That's the spirit! You ready for Slayers?!!?
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: MrAngryFace on July 02, 2008, 05:56:50 PM: When its fansubbed yeah lol. Im not that hardcore anime. I need some form of english!
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Mr. Gundam on July 02, 2008, 05:59:38 PM: I live in Seattle. There's a Starbucks practically everywhere. It's kind of like in Demolition Man, but instead of Taco Bell, it's Starbucks.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Himu on July 02, 2008, 06:05:29 PM: Quote from: The Iconistrator on July 02, 2008, 05:56:50 PM
When its fansubbed yeah lol. Im not that hardcore anime. I need some form of english!

Agreed! I wouldn't watch it raw either
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: cool breeze on July 02, 2008, 06:08:12 PM: So now you have to walk 4 blocks instead of 2 to get to the nearest Starbucks. Big deal.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: hyp on July 02, 2008, 06:08:29 PM: the prophecy has been fulfilled. mcdonalds superior/cheaper morning coffee is causing the downfall of starbucks!

:bow mcdonalds :bow2
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: The Fake Shemp on July 02, 2008, 07:40:47 PM: Starbucks will be closing 8.5% of its store and letting go of 7% of its workforce.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: The Fake Shemp on July 02, 2008, 07:52:34 PM: Starbucks is the glue that holds this economy together!
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: laesperanzapaz on July 02, 2008, 08:42:15 PM: Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on July 02, 2008, 05:40:14 PM
(http://i32.tinypic.com/20tnubo.jpg)
i said wow

i hear subway does the same
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Sysgen on July 02, 2008, 08:48:38 PM: By me they built a SB right next door to a Dunkin Dounuts. I've never been in the SB. In the city (NY), downtown anyway they're like on every block.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: crimsondynamics on July 02, 2008, 09:48:24 PM: The building where I work has two - that's right, two Starbucks. Now the question isn't why Starbucks is closing 600 stores; it's:

Why are there so many to start with?

Starbucks is a victim of its own success. They opened far too many stores, turning the franchise from what was a good, niche coffee house for connoisseurs into what is essentially the coffee equivalent of Burger King. They are essentially cannibalizing their own sales. (While Starbucks screwed up royally with its aggressive expansion in the US, they are in fact planning on expanding in Europe, and are tapping into the China market. They are merely diverting resources elsewhere.)

It's the smaller franchises (yes, including McCafe - their coffee policies are fantastic and their attention to detail beats Starbucks even at the height of their game; just try their Cappuccino and witness the "M" artfully and tastefully placed atop the foam with cinnamon powder and you can see they take their coffee seriously) that are staying true to the tune of brewing and providing quality coffee at reasonable prices. Starbucks is now overpriced and it has lost that exclusive appeal of being "the best coffee shop around" - how can it be, when there are so many?

And, frequently the coffee is simply not up to par. Believe me, I roast and grind my own coffee at home.

Finally, there's this:

[youtube=425,350]Z9iMgSNrwv4[/youtube]
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: tiesto on July 03, 2008, 12:07:18 AM: Quote from: laesperanzapaz on July 02, 2008, 08:42:15 PM
Quote from: Synthesizer Patel on July 02, 2008, 05:40:14 PM
(http://i32.tinypic.com/20tnubo.jpg)
i said wow

i hear subway does the same

Yeah, according to Fast Food Nation, Subway corporate actively expands and forces franchise owners to eat into each other's sales. There are a whole ton of Subways out by me, hell more than Starbucks I think...
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: muckhole on July 03, 2008, 12:17:46 AM: Quote from: crimsondynamics on July 02, 2008, 09:48:24 PM
And, frequently the coffee is simply not up to par. Believe me, I roast and grind my own coffee at home.

That's the one thing that always shocked me about our local Starbucks. Their "regular" coffee was simply atrocious. I always assumed they did it on purpose to try to encourage sales of their fancier fare. A giant coffee chain that can't even manage a decent cup of regular coffee? Unbelievable.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: Mandark on July 03, 2008, 12:40:10 AM: Well, so much for my pet theory that Starbucks coffee is a Giffen good (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giffen_good) for middle class suburbanites.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: crimsondynamics on July 03, 2008, 12:45:50 AM: Quote from: muckhole on July 03, 2008, 12:17:46 AM
Quote from: crimsondynamics on July 02, 2008, 09:48:24 PM
And, frequently the coffee is simply not up to par. Believe me, I roast and grind my own coffee at home.

That's the one thing that always shocked me about our local Starbucks. Their "regular" coffee was simply atrocious. I always assumed they did it on purpose to try to encourage sales of their fancier fare. A giant coffee chain that can't even manage a decent cup of regular coffee? Unbelievable.

You might be on to something: the last time I ordered a regular coffee at my local Starbucks it was far, far, way, way (yes, I need to emphasize this) burnt. Like they left it on overnight.

Still, if they want to encourage customers to buy their fancier fare, why don't they just remove the regular coffee? That crap tasted so bad, I didn't even finish it. Didn't get through half the cup! I thought it was a one-off, bad luck experience of mine - until I read your comment.

I would've raised a stink but the guys working there are really nice guys and we get along, so I assume they are only following company policy. :-\
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: MrAngryFace on July 03, 2008, 01:28:24 AM: I drink my coffee black from starbucks all the time, you snobs need to grow up. grinding coffee at home doesnt make you an expert, it makes you a dude that spent money on a grinder. Congrats, you do something a monkey can be trained to do, but it doesnt make you some coffee expert.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: The Fake Shemp on July 03, 2008, 01:38:29 AM: Silly rabbit, they're not coffee experts, they're coffee connoisseurs.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: laesperanzapaz on July 03, 2008, 01:40:05 AM: Quote from: The Iconistrator on July 03, 2008, 01:28:24 AM
I drink my coffee black from starbucks all the time, you snobs need to grow up. grinding coffee at home doesnt make you an expert, it makes you a dude that spent money on a grinder. Congrats, you do something a monkey can be trained to do, but it doesnt make you some coffee expert.

" I eat at Mickey D's all the time, you health hippies need to grow up. Making your own sammich or burger at home doesn't make you intelligent in all things life, it makes you a dude that spent money on "fresh" ingredients. Congrats you do something a monkey can do, but it doesn't make you "better quality burgers" or whatever.

whateverrrr"
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: xnikki118x on July 03, 2008, 03:16:53 AM: Quote from: duckman2000 on July 02, 2008, 05:01:22 PM
I have yet to meet a Starbucks "barista" who hasn't seemed to really, really loathe his/her job, and the customers.

I've only known three but they've all really loved it. Starbucks also has good benefits for their part-time employees, which is great for college kids not covered under their parents' insurance.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: crimsondynamics on July 03, 2008, 03:43:44 AM: Quote from: The Iconistrator on July 03, 2008, 01:28:24 AM
I drink my coffee black from starbucks all the time, you snobs need to grow up. grinding coffee at home doesnt make you an expert, it makes you a dude that spent money on a grinder. Congrats, you do something a monkey can be trained to do, but it doesnt make you some coffee expert.

Grinding coffee at home doesn't make you an expert. But it doesn't mean you aren't an expert.

You spend time criticizing people on forums. But criticizing people on forums doesn't make you a critic. Congrats, your rhetoric doesn't make you an expert on anything either. You critics need to grow up.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: muckhole on July 03, 2008, 10:43:21 AM: Quote from: The Iconistrator on July 03, 2008, 01:28:24 AM
I drink my coffee black from starbucks all the time, you snobs need to grow up. grinding coffee at home doesnt make you an expert, it makes you a dude that spent money on a grinder. Congrats, you do something a monkey can be trained to do, but it doesnt make you some coffee expert.

I don't grind my own coffee. I just buy run of the mill, ground coffee in a can. Starbucks coffee is just consistantly lousy.
Quote from: crimsondynamics on July 03, 2008, 12:45:50 AM

it was far, far, way, way (yes, I need to emphasize this) burnt. Like they left it on overnight.

Exactly. The first few times I just chalked it up to different blends, but it never seems to matter.
Title: Re: Starbucks is closing 600 stores? US ECONOMY IS COLLAPSING!
Post by: GilloD on July 03, 2008, 04:46:11 PM: Grinding your own is a step up from pre-ground, no doubt. But to see any real advantage from varietals or DIY roasting, you're gonna have to plunk down some cash for a nice coffee maker. Your 20 dollar Mr. Coffee won't cut it. I always grind my own, pre-ground has a weird chalk-y, caramel flavor and no acidity.