This is an aside, but my how far has Starbucks fallen at the hands of profit optimization. A Starbucks used to be a great place to spend time. Today the interior of almost every Starbucks is cold, beat up, and (intentionally?) uncomfortable. (In the stores where they even still have seating, which another commenter pointed out.) The quality of the product is barely a step above a gas station.
On the other hand, my area has a few excellent locally owned options that are so important to me. When I think about Starbucks vs. one of those locally owned shops, it reminds me just how much a rich tapestry of small businesses in a neighborhood can transform it for the better. Starbucks had that going for a it for a short while.
On the other hand, my area has a few excellent locally owned options that are so important to me. When I think about Starbucks vs. one of those locally owned shops, it reminds me just how much a rich tapestry of small businesses in a neighborhood can transform it for the better. Starbucks had that going for a it for a short while.