I will admit it, I am a coffee snob and a coffee addict. Coffee to me is like cocaine to the average teen celebrity. I recognize and appreciate a quality coffee from a classy establishment.
So, I shouldn’t really need to explain why I indulge in the anti-Starbucks movement, but I will anyway: their exploitation of music, horrible coffee, cookie-cutter corporate culture, and pamphlets on “fair trade” practices are often infuriating.
In my neighborhood, I have several different options for obtaining my caffeine fix. Trees Coffee on Granville (superb), Finch’s Coffee on Homer and Pender (delightful), the little no-name coffee shop owned by the old Armenian man on Richards and Pender (charmingly Armenian). Lately, however, I have basically been living at my boyfriend’s…so, enter Benny’s Bagels.
I would like to begin by saying that Benny’s CHARMED me on my first few visits. It’s bohemian loft style and massive Jesus portrait on the wall make it feel like a gypsy tent. I frequented the store daily, but I quickly caught on to the true nature of this beast. Customer service was abhorrent and absolutely disgusting – it actually almost turned me off coffee. I looked for my alternative in the area. Surprise, IT’S STARBUCKS.
In a fit of rage, I decided to just take it and go with the terrible service. The coffee cannot be worse than Starbucks. I went back to get another Americano, took a sip of the sweet drug and nearly threw the coffee in the garbage. Horrible service + poor coffee quality = Benny’s boycott.
I thought about potential solutions to this dilemma. Should I write the owners? It seemed obvious that they didn’t care. Should I talk to the staff and express my concerns? It was obvious that they didn’t care a whole lot either. Should I walk six blocks to hit the next coffee shop? It was my only option.
So I walked those 6 blocks, and it was just as horrific as Benny’s. Attitude, antique-like atmosphere, and more attitude.
So I am back on the Starbucks train now. I hate it, but it’s really the most efficient solution to my woes. At least their staff plaster on a friendly smile, and they usually speak directly to you as well. Eye contact is nice. This is a short-term solution, though, as I’m planning on investing in my very own espresso machine. At the end of the day I’d rather start my day with a shot of espresso, no fuss, than with a shot of attitude from someone I’m handing over money to.
Perhaps this could be the beginning of an anti-independent movement. As consumers, we’re making decisions with our purchases, and the old-fashioned boycott still has as much power as ever. If funky independent business means bad behaviour and an aloof attitude, I’d rather take the big box store thankyouverymuch.
There may be an editor’s note here. I’m not sure, Terri.
(Ed: ha. I still support the small local shops over Starbucks, but don’t think being independent means abandoning all corporate or “commercial” values, like being nice to your customers. And Starbucks doesn’t have free wifi – WTF??).
A lot of people enjoy talking down on starbucks and when people speak up about the company it always draws attention. Starbucks has set it self apart from most chains and its practices are always followed and criticized. You dont here banter about how many subways their are or why every city needs has a safe way in it. Its a chain, but carriers values and traits where it feels like something else other then another 7-11. People go to Starbucks because on average you know the experience your going to have when you walk in. I work at starbucks and its on a corner of an intersection where every other corner you can pick up a cup of coffee. When people come in and are all like “WHAT LARAGE? VENTIUM, TALL, GRANDO? What is it? I just want some coffee, oh its so expensive, what a waste of cups” I can only think “why did you walk by 7-11 and that other coffee shop if our line up is too long and Venti is so confusing for you?” . I’m all for complaining, believe me i’m good at it but sometimes people complain without having any problems and i’d perfer to keep it in.
What about Blenz? Starbucks in nature but the coffee vastly superior…or am I delusional? If you want a good latte check out The Preggo on Hornby just off of Beach Ave…excellent spot
-Ryan in Vancouver
Dave, you have a solid point. I think people like to focus on Starbucks because it’s easy to pick on. Also, it grew really big– you rarely see two Safeways across the street from each other. Or even two of them in the same shopping centre.
I appreciate having the same experience each time I go to a coffee shop because I’m not a morning person, and coffee made differently/worse than usual really ruins my morning.
Ryan, thanks for the tip. I loathe Blendz, though. I worked in marketing and PR for a competitor of theirs and found out about some ghosts in their closets… I’m just going to say— “moral issues”.
Also, I’m pretty sure they use Canterbury Coffee– which I consider “fake coffee”.
I do enjoy that they’re Canadian! Go Canada!!
ps- I’ll check out that Latte hot-spot you noted, many thanks!
(note, fond on this reply thing is way too small to read, I just guessed every word I typed.)
from where i’m from, (singapore) we have another chain called coffee bean and tea leaf, whose drinks i love much more. i do support smaller independent stores, but because i don’t drink coffee and only ever order chocolate drinks, i only go to them when i want the regular ice or hot chocolate/cocoa. when i want a really nice blended chocolate drink here in new york, i still have to go to starbucks to satisfy myself!
It’s true, this is not that different from the whole backlash against American Apparel – everyone criticized the sexual nature of their ads, the morality of the CEO, and it only became bigger with every controversial editorial piece written.
I just read that anything you fight, becomes stronger; anything you resist, persists. So voicing our woes against Starbucks, or any other company, only stands to make them bigger and stronger. It’s kind of a catch-22.
I think Starbucks is only like McDonalds in that it’s a large chain. Starbucks stands out because they are wayy more consistent than the competition (Blends, Waves and Second Cup), and consistency is HUGE in the coffee world.
There are definitely some great cafĂ©s in Vancouver, if great coffee is really important to you. To me it just really comes down to how refined your palette is, and how much effort you’re willing to put into getting that great cup of coffee. Starbucks clients don’t need to pay much effort, that’s for sure, but maybe there’s much better coffee out there.. if you can afford to make that extra effort.
that’s my 2 cents..
Couldn’t agree more on Benny’s Bagels.
But 6 blocks to get to the next place? Surely you are not referring to Calhoun’s?! That place has got to be the worst in Kits. Try going two and a half blocks East and you’ll find two fairly nice coffee shops at Broadway and Vine: Higher Grounds and Heart Attack and Vine.
I was going to say there is a good place on vine and Broadway
but don’t bother with the place at arbutus and 8th or 7th – arbutus coffee – oh man I was the only person in line and the baristas had to finish (all four of them rammed behind the counter) talking of their previous night’s adventures before one of them could serve me, with a surly attitude to boot
I was a barista at a small coffee shop in Toronto for about nine months and it was so easy to serve people with a smile, even when I was having a shitty day, just plaster one on, make small talk, and five seconds later it’s over. when someone can’t do that for me, I lose my mind
Still not a fan of starbucks, no matter how you stroke it. I’d rather forgo my daily coffee than drink there, if only for the quality of the coffee and how their lattes are on automatic speeddial (automated machines, where the art in that?)
I’d rather hike all the way to Burrard and 6th for a smooth dose of Elysium Room or even JJ Beans. Now those are great coffee shops here in Vancouver. A quick dose of something great dt is cafe a go go which serves up cafe machiattos (though they’re more like lattes) at $2.00, regardless if it’s a double or single. The owner, his wife and their staff are super wonderful and give you a smile every time. It’s cheaper than the JJ’s in yaletown and still as good.
Believe it or not, McDonalds has good coffee at a price that is much appreciated.
just think.. the company didnt make money itself right?
Pane From Heaven on Cypress at 1st has great coffee. Definitely one of my favorite coffee spots in town.
Well,
Why not Tim Horton?
I think Tim Horton is da best.
I guess snob downtown people only have to drink starbuck eh?