But Maggie just brought me a pumpkin latte at work.
Holy crap. There’s probably half a million calories in it, but it’s good. Very good.
Apparently the Target that they built here in Dartmouth has a Starbucks in it.
I am going to be wired for the rest of the day on this caffeine.
Posted by James at October 19, 2006 10:42 AMI haven't tried the pumpkin latte yet. Sounds intriguing.
I use to shun Starbucks but I now patronize their stores without guilt because I also visit smaller, independent coffee shops like 1369 and Breaking New Grounds. I apply the same logic for Barnes & Noble and local bookstores.
Starbucks actually plays better music than most radio stations these days. Sometimes you can listen to channel 75 on XM satellite radio.
Posted by: Mike at October 19, 2006 11:51 AMI too used to hate Starbucks but since they've started brewing it at a discount at work I've grown to like their coffee and if I'm not familiar with an area I know I can get a good cup of coffee. In the local area I always try to go to small shops (Diesel in Davis Square, Cafe Ziba in Acton).
XM 75 is actuallt sponsored by Starbucks. They play a decent mix of music.
Haven't broken down on bookstores yet. Still use locals exclusively. If I can't find something they'll order it for me.
Posted by: B.O.B. (bob) at October 19, 2006 1:06 PMThe Peppermint one is just around the corner... it is fantastic.
It's like that Coffee Bean guy attached candy canes to his donkey and then had the donkey kick you in the mouth.
Seriously, the peppermint one breaks all of your teeth.
Posted by: Derek at October 19, 2006 1:07 PMDerek, you should go into marketing!
Posted by: Patti M. at October 19, 2006 1:22 PMI also used to hate Starbucks. But at the time I was in Oregon and California, land of FABULOUS coffee houses on every corner. Here? Nothing but Skunkin NoNuts® as far as the red, bleary eyes can see. We're getting a StarCrack® within 15 minutes of me now and I am downright pale and shaking with ecstacy at the thought of no more Skunkin NoNuts® in my future. Go figure.
Oh yeah, and my attitude changed a little more when a good friend started managing a Starbucks franchise in Maine. He came down to the Boston area a few times to accept awards on behalf of the company for his store's local environmental work. That added another shade of grey to my worldview.
Posted by: Mike at October 19, 2006 3:02 PMOur local small shop is Mirasol's Cafe (local to where I work).
My favorite thing there now (for October) is hot apple cider with caramel.
Like drinking an apple pie.
Posted by: James at October 19, 2006 4:50 PM