The end of the universe just got weirder

[mookiemookie]

Lewis Black famously pointed out that the end of the universe exists right here in Houston where there's a Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks on the corner of West Gray and Shepherd.

Well it just got worse. There's now a Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks across the street from...another Starbucks.

Video: http://link.brightcove.com/services/...id=40751341001

[UnderseaLcpl]

People sure do like their Starbucks. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I have to ask why? What is it about overpriced coffee that generates enough demand for two or three shops to be located within a mile of each other, let alone across the street? Is their coffee just that good? Is any coffee that good? Is the coffee spiked with cocaine or something? Was there an advertising blitz that I missed?

Here in Ft.Worth, we have Wal-Marts located down the street from each other. The reason is that each store can only handle so much capacity, so they have to build new ones. Apparently, people like cheap stuff. Can't say I blame them. I just got back from Wal-Mart. I can understand that.

I can also understand some people shopping at pricey stores because of the societal status afforded people with expensive things or coveted brands. Personally, I afford them the status of "idiot" for paying way more than they needed to, but that's another topic.

What really confuses me is how Starbucks manages to be both expensive and in tremendous demand. One would think that the fact that everyone goes there would somewhat diminish any kind of societal status gained by purchasing their expensive products or being seen there. Starbucks patrons tend to be painted as snooty, self-absorbed types in popular culture. Just listen to the people in the video. But then, why would they be that way if like, everyone else goes there too?

Can it really be that good? Is the atmosphere that pleasing?

[papa_smurf]

Its bad over here too. In Manchester city centre, there's at least 15 Starbucks.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

What really confuses me is how Starbucks manages to be both expensive and in tremendous demand.


Can it really be that good? Is the atmosphere that pleasing?

I link it to the Yuppie phenomenon, though you can see its presence in film clips and stories from the '20s (The Great Gatsby) and it probably goes all the way back to the beginning of civilization.

As a lifelong biker I've often said the same thing about Harley-Davidson. Why pay $20,000 for a name when I can get a bike that's much faster, better-handling, lighter and more comfortable to ride all day for one quarter of the price?

All I can say is: "But mine goes to eleven."

[krashkart]

I prefer the locally owned coffee shops. Their beverages are just as good as Starbuck's and more of the money I pay goes back into the community.

[Sailor Steve]

I'm a weird one. I hate the taste of coffee but love the smell.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I'm a weird one. I hate the taste of coffee but love the smell.

Yeah, you're definitely weird if you feel the same way I do.

@Weiss Pinguin

[Moeceefus]

There are over 350 McDonalds in NYC.

[Betonov]

no starbucks in Slovenia (yet)

I know I'll be sticking to the cafe's till I die, no coffee shops. Coffee is a social thing for me

[Weiss Pinguin]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

Can it really be that good? Is the atmosphere that pleasing?

[Biggles]

Not a single Starbucks in Sweden

[frau kaleun]

New Starbucks Opens In Rest Room Of Existing Starbucks

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Starbucks, the nation's largest coffee-shop chain, continued its rapid expansion Tuesday, opening its newest location in the men's room of an existing Starbucks.

"Coffee lovers just can't stand being far from their favorite Starbucks gourmet blends," said Chris Tuttle, Starbucks vice-president of franchising. "Now, people can enjoy a delicious Frappuccino or espresso just about any time they please, even while defecating."

The new men's-room-based Starbucks, the coffee giant's 1,531st U.S. location, will be open to both men and women when not "in use." In addition to offering specialty coffees from around the world, it will serve freshly baked pastries, Italian pannini sandwiches and soups, as well as the rest room's usual selection of toilet paper and soap.

"This is a great addition," said Jonathan Connolly, a Boston-area banker who tried out the new Starbucks Tuesday. "I was enjoying my usual triple mocha latté in the main Starbucks, and I had to go to the bathroom, where three people were in line to use the stalls. The wait might have been a problem, but, to my great pleasure, there was another Starbucks right there, ready to serve me more delicious coffee. And the baristas were helpful and courteous."

Connolly added that after he finished drinking his coffee and using the bathroom, he stayed for a poetry reading near the urinals.

"I was a little bit worried about the new restaurant cutting into our business," said Dave Grobelkowski, manager of the original Starbucks. "But the only people going there are ones who have already purchased items from us anyway. And if we run out of stirrers or cream, we can just go to the bathroom and borrow some."

According to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, the new location represents the beginning of a long-term expansion plan.

"Eventually, Starbucks rest rooms everywhere will sell coffee," Schultz said. "But that ambitious scheme is at least five years down the road. In the meantime, we plan to open an additional location in this Starbucks' ladies' room within months, and are already drafting plans for a fourth restaurant along the corridor leading from the main seating area to the rest rooms. At some point a 'Star-bucks Express' window will eventually open in the walk-in closet of the men's room Starbucks."

"Drink our coffee," Schultz said. "Drink it."

[TarJak]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Lewis Black famously pointed out that the end of the universe exists right here in Houston where there's a Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks on the corner of West Gray and Shepherd.

Well it just got worse. There's now a Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks across the street from...another Starbucks.

Video: http://link.brightcove.com/services/...id=40751341001

O Noze! They only have to build one on the last corner to complete the Starbuckgate Vortex sucking all of the world through to the alternate universe where every building is a Starbucks cafe!

Eventually it will end up like this:

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Lewis Black famously pointed out that the end of the universe exists right here in Houston where there's a Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks on the corner of West Gray and Shepherd.

Well it just got worse. There's now a Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks across the street from...another Starbucks.

Video: http://link.brightcove.com/services/...id=40751341001

Mookie, Well it looks like somebody needs to go to Seattle. It is just one giant starbucks.

[Sledgehammer427]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

Mookie, Well it looks like somebody needs to go to Seattle. It is just one giant starbucks.

all of those up-and-coming grunge musicians need a place to have their coffee
there's not one starbucks in the four town area here
(sterling, dixon, rock falls, morisson) where my friends and I congregate. we don't even have a cafe. but we drink our coffee in mugs and always black. there is no such thing as half-and half or sugar in my family's coffee.