Its easy to look at Starbucks and only see the corporate giant, the killer of independent coffee houses and the purveyor of overcooked coffee beans. I know I have done that all too many times, indeed it has almost become a involuntary reaction.
But its a reaction that I can overcome if I want to. Usually I will be on the run, need a caffeine fix, and there it is — a Starbucks on every block. Why just down the street from my house we have a stand alone Starbucks, a Starbucks in Dominicks, and a Starbucks in Meijer. A trifecta if you will.
How can I resist? Usually I cave and get something more about whats added to it that what the coffee actually tastes like. I still get my caffeine, and the burnt coffee taste is muted. Plus it gives me an opportunity to consume hundreds upon hundreds of calories.
But…
It wasn’t always like this. I had a rare encounter recently. I met a former Starbucks manager from the early years. Talking about Starbucks her eyes glazed over and I could tell she was really relishing reliving the experience.
She spoke of a time when having one Starbucks in a city was a huge deal. There was a pride she explained in being a barista there. You felt like you were apart of something good, and you were taken care of like… well like a barista in an independent coffee house.
Its hard to think of Starbucks during those formative years. I found it refreshing to meet someone from way back when Starbucks was just getting started. It still doesn’t change what they have become, but its just to think about their humble beginnings.
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