Comments on:

By: jweber

jweber — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:57:13 +0000

Yeah it was really awesome that Edwin stopped in! I am really glad that he enjoyed his experience so much too!

By: Sparky

Sparky — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:23:54 +0000

As a Barista working at a corporately owned Starbucks, I can definitely answer to a few questions that yes, 15th Ave Coffee & Tea is indeed run by Starbucks corporate. Speaking as a third-party viewer, my personal opinion on why I think Starbucks attempting to “conceal their direct involvement” with this new establishment is because everyone already knows the typical Starbucks atmosphere; what it’s supposed to be like, what the people, the service, food, drinks and merchandise should be like–the brand of Starbucks is associated with all of this.
However, why I think that Starbucks is avoiding using their name so directly with the Coffee & Tea stores is because they’re trying to create a new atmosphere. Something different from the well-known Starbucks atmosphere–which, by the way, I’m not in the least saying is undesirable or overused–personally, I thoroughly enjoy the general Starbucks environment, and wouldn’t change a thing about it. But what I think Starbucks is trying to bring across with the new Coffee & Tea location is more of what Starbucks used to be–more of an up-close and personal store with a lot more slack for innovative new ideas and variety.
With all the big corporate stores around the globe, it’s been a lot harder for Starbucks to meet the goal of a ‘friendly-neighborhood coffee shop’. Obviously. Just think about all the Starbucks in Seattle, alone. It’s been a lot easier for Starbucks to strive for a ‘third place’, –not necessarily a friendly neighborhood cafe, but at least a nice place to relax and have a nice talk over a well-prepared cup of coffee. Not that this is a bad thing, mind you. It’s just that with all the focus on getting Starbucks to the world, it’s become a lot harder to hold on to the cozy, neighborhood ideal.
So, with the new Coffee & Tea stores, if Starbucks went and openly branded their name over the place, I think it would basically just be like making this 15th Ave Coffee & Tea just another Starbucks location–another store in the great expansion of the company. And, let’s face it, that’s obviously not the direction they look like they’re trying to go with this.
Basically, in keeping the big Starbucks name off the cafe, it makes it a lot easier to give the store the leeway they need to try new ideas you won’t see in normal Starbucks stores–to really be able to stretch their wings, so to speak. Those are my thoughts, anyways. There’s a lot out there in the big world of coffee to still be discovered. If creating these new outlets for some new innovation is going to help open up new possibilities, I say go for it!

By: Brendon

Brendon — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:13:38 +0000

Wow! You guys had Edwin visit? From Vista Hermosa in Guatemala! Lucky!

By: jennaelliot

jennaelliot — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:28:11 +0000

we’ve started! most friday nights are booked for the next few months, and we’re starting to fill in our saturday nights and thursday nights as well. if you know of some great local talent that would want to play in our cafe, send them our way!

By: jennaelliot

jennaelliot — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:26:33 +0000

yes we are owned by Starbucks:)

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:11:28 +0000

Hi Jenna. I just read about your store in the Business Week article about Starbucks, and I’m super excited to try out this new store’s coffee and tea. I’m especially excited to hang out on a Saturday night. But my friends and I keep kosher, and we wondered if your store would consider stocking kosher pastries and delicacies so we could “nosh” while we sip? Either way, we can’t wait to come on in!

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:42:36 +0000

For some reason, my post asking about whether or not 15th Ave. Coffee & Tea was owned by Starbucks was deleted. So, I’ll ask it again… are you owned by Starbucks?

By: Edwin Martinez

Edwin Martinez — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:14:36 +0000

Very much enjoyed the Clovered Yirgacheffe. Would love to see more similar style roasts.
Thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Pleasantly shocking and very exciting. A solid step towards further engaging and focusing on the cup and the bean. Good for you, good for the competition and good for the farmer.

By: starlover

starlover — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:33:19 +0000

you’re starbucks, why the deception?

By: JD

JD — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:14:04 +0000

How sad this sham is! Starbucks’ service has gone to the devil, and the best idea you have is to start a fake independent coffee shop? Howard, time to retire.