Keep the change!

[MC Moot]

I went out last night to grab something warm to drink and check my local magazine store, Adbusters and Mojo are due…it’s a great little store,lot’s of foreign mags,comics,papers from round da world…..hip staff who encourage the long browse…..anyway’s....it’s gone…..no warning just a note on the door saying the beautiful old building had been rezoned for an office tower……my neighborhood is becoming homogenized…character being cut out bit by bit, cafés being replace by Starbucks,Ma and Pa corners stores eaten up by London Drugs….know what I mean?

[abcdefz]

That's a shame.

Really, I can't complain too much about Starbucks. Other than their house coffee, they're one corporation who seems to do it right.

But I know what you mean. I love it when I can shop independently-run businesses. Fortunately, a lot of my consumering goes to locally-
owned places: music, movies, probably half my groceries...

[MC Moot]

See I agree with you on the end product with Starbucks,like I bought a great french press there,their ground coffee is of great quality and they have consistancy in their beverages....however as far as somewhere to sit,converse or read they have no ambiance whatsoever...when I took my my dad he said they've taken the joy out of the cafe expeience and I could'nt agree more,no brandy or cognac,no smoking.....just caucasian people cd shoping....

[abcdefz]

As far as lounging goes, the Starbucks around here are very hit and miss. The one near where I work is fantastic; the one I hit in the morning
on my way to work -- I wouldn't hang out there for ten minutes. But some are also in bookstores, and that can be really nice... grab a book
or magazines from the bookstore, get a coffee and some cheesecake and just chill. (y)

[Drederick Tatum]

my city is far too self consciously hip to allow Starbucks to take over.

anyway Starbucks coffee here is usually burnt.

[Loppfessor]

Ya filthy animal!!