27 Feb 08 Smell The Coffee

Practically all the Starbucks stores across the nation closed their doors recently for three hours, to have a training session for their staff. They’re closing 100 stores, and scaling back business expansion plans.

Wall Street, who once saw them as one of the gold jewels, now look upon Starbucks as yet another fast food chain.

Many folks are not impressed with Starbucks, and avoid them. Others flock there on a daily basis. Well, myself, I’m an occasional user. I don’t think their coffees are wonderfully out of this world, but they’re ok, and while I’ve had better, I’ve certainly had a whole lot worse. I’m not a regular visitor for two reasons. One, I work from home a great deal of the time, and therefore have no need to pick up a latte on the way to the office. Two, I’m pretty frugal with things like that anyway, and if I am going to an office, I’ll make coffee at home, and take it with me, in a thermal mug. I don’t feel it’s justified to spend between $2 and $4.50 each day on a cup of coffee anyway.

What do you think? Are you getting a good barista-crafted creation in your cup for your dollars at Starbucks, or is is just a squirt of warm liquid, and a splash of cold milk?

Tags: business expansion, coffee, coffees, daily basis, doors, fast food, food chain, gold jewels, latte, occasional user, starbucks, starbucks stores, thermal mug, training session, wall street, whole lot