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Friday, September 19, 2008

Food Coming to Terms with Starbucks

Posted by Patrick Alan Coleman on Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 1:35 PM

starbucks_cup.jpg

The Starbucks on 20th and Division closes today. Believe it or not, I'm kind of sad about that. I've been buying my morning cup of joe at this particular location for about three months.

I know what you're thinking: "Why on earth would the food editor from the hippest Portland weekly be buying shitty Starbucks coffee when there are plenty of other options in that neighborhood?" I'll tell you, it did not happen without significant moral strain.

I begin my workday around seven o'clock every morning. Since I prize those few precious hours of sleep, I rarely give myself enough time to make my own French press elixir. This means I have to buy coffee on my way to work. I used to drive to one of the many independent coffee shops in the neighborhood, but one after the other they began to fail me.

Yes, the coffee was better at the mom and pop shops, but there were too many times that I'd show up to find a shuttered shop, or a frantic, lone barista madly trying to catch up after opening late. Other times, I'd have to deal with major attitude (I'm only ordering a small cup of coffee fer chrissakes) or just plain old shitty service. Those post bed, pre-coffee moments are a delicate time for me. What might pass as mildly abrasive at other points in the day becomes absolutely jarring pre-caffeine.

Eventually (reluctantly), I noticed that the Starbucks was always open when they said they were supposed to be open and the service was fast, friendly and (mostly) unobtrusive. I decided that, on the weekdays, I'd be happy to sacrifice a delicious cup of Stumptown brew for the ease and convenience of Starbucks.

Over time, I grew to rationalize my purchase. Lets face it, I may be contributing to an evil multinational corporation, but at least they give their employees decent pay and benefits.

So, yes, I'm sad to see that Starbucks close down. I'm also not looking forward to next Monday, when I'll have to decide whether I want to wake up earlier to make my own cupa or brave the indie-cafe wilderness of Southeast Portland.

I'm open to suggestions.



 

Comments (17) RSS

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1
There's a new Dutch Bros on Belmont!
Posted by D on September 19, 2008 at 1:56 PM · Report
2
Wasn't there a big hubbub when that Starbucks was built? Like everyone was really mad about it?

Anyway, a really hot guy (I mean, really hot) used to work there.
Posted by Sahar on September 19, 2008 at 2:06 PM · Report
3
boo fucking hoo. i get up at 6am each morning to drive to wilsonville and somehow i manage to clean my french press and make a pot each day. and when i don't, it takes two minutes to walk into stumptown, drop your change on the counter, pour yourself some french press, and go. there, no dealing with haughty or backlogged baristas.
Posted by dude on September 19, 2008 at 2:22 PM · Report
4
Take a French press to work. My employer gets Stumptown delivered (I know!), so I just pour in the ground beans, take some hot water from the tap on the coffee maker and happily don't leave my desk for the next four hours.
Posted by Bob's uncle on September 19, 2008 at 2:44 PM · Report
5
Get the big can of French Roast coffee beans from Trader Joe's and make it yourself. Once you get into the routine of making your own coffee, the way you like it and how much of it you'd like, you shouldn't even be thinking about where you're going to pay for your single cup of basic coffee.
However, you seem to be making a big point of wanting a positive experience being served your hot beverages, so maybe you don't really want to make it yourself. So you should hit the 28th & Burnside Starbucks, which isn't too out of the way on your journey to the Jantzen/Sunshine neighborhood. Enjoy your coffee!
Posted by Absent Mindful on September 19, 2008 at 2:49 PM · Report
6
Or switch to Sanka
Posted by D on September 19, 2008 at 2:59 PM · Report
7
Many coffee makers come with alarms and timers. Just set it up the night before and wake up to freshly brewed coffee.
Posted by Graham on September 19, 2008 at 3:02 PM · Report
8
Why don't you try a place with fairtrade coffee. Yes, starbucks might pay thier own employees decent wages but the coffee bean grower is still getting paid pennies for every $2 coffee you buy. At least most indie shops around portland support fair and direct trade. but i guess if you can make peace with contributing to world poverty then go ahead.
Posted by fairtrade on September 19, 2008 at 3:47 PM · Report
9
This is Portland. Isn't there another Starbucks right across the street?
Posted by nerdliness on September 19, 2008 at 3:55 PM · Report
10
Why don't you just drink a whole pot of Stumptown as soon as you hit the office? It works for me!
Posted by Michelle on September 19, 2008 at 4:00 PM · Report
11
Well, I can understand where you're coming from. I've been to local coffee shops and enjoy the fair-trade, bird friendly organic certified coffee, but not the customer service that comes along with it.

I wish there was a way to get good coffee and not be treated like a cunt at the same time...
Posted by aprillorraine on September 19, 2008 at 4:10 PM · Report
12
You can generally walk into a Stumptown, self-serve from the coffee cannisters up front, leave a couple bucks on the counter and go. Especially once you've established yourself as a "regular."
Posted by Cowboy_X on September 19, 2008 at 4:53 PM · Report
13
Oh, I say, chappies, you have to be a real man to drink Navy Coffee. Made with water from the bilges, don't you know. Had dead bugs and rats and used condoms floating around in it. Made a fellow tough, I tell you. Ah, the good old days, before baristas and the rest of that piffle.
Posted by Int'l. Assoc. of Satirists on September 19, 2008 at 5:04 PM · Report
14
Voodoo Doughnut Too has stumptown coffee and is right by your office, hardly ever too busy and open at 6am.
Posted by Lobster on September 19, 2008 at 6:32 PM · Report
15
I love the Fine Grind on SE 39th just north of Division. The lattes are consistant, they have jasmine syrup, and when you're a regular and they see your car pull up they start your usual drink. I'm there every morning before work.
Posted by buttonskitten on September 19, 2008 at 8:38 PM · Report
16
Jasmine syrup?!??
Posted by Gizmology on September 20, 2008 at 3:38 PM · Report
17
I have never had bad service at a Stumptown. I've had "It's really busy and I'm on autopilot" service. But I've never had anybody act rude or standoffish. Some people don't understand how their own attitudes and demeanor contribute to the level of service they get. I don't think that your 45 second interaction with a barista allows you to make broad personality assessments.

That and this town is awash in overly judgemental, self important people yupsters who don't understand why their latte doesn't come with a complimentary taint licking.
Posted by I want to delete my account on September 20, 2008 at 5:22 PM · Report

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