DISQUS

Liz Ditz · 8 months ago

I'm with you and have been for years.

I do my best to buy books locally--and kind of keep a runny tally in my head on what I buy from Amazon vs. locally.

One thing about chain restaurants, though -- they may be a locally-owned franchise. It's hard to sort out.

Pay a bit more for gas so the convenient station is available? I can do that. Shop at the local HW store (it may be an Ace franchise, but that's not the same as a big-box store like OSH or Home Despot.)

And so on.

don · 8 months ago

I *love* elementcoffee. Its a 10 min drive from work instead of the 5 min walk to sbux so I don't get there as often as i like. i didn't know they have music at nights. have to stop by after a dinner at Money Panchos

Douglas Karr · 8 months ago

Interesting - I've been going to an independent coffee shop for a couple years now. Late last year I wrote a similar post about my break-up and observed how Starbucks was destroying their own brand and experience.

http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/08/05/starbuc...

Karoli · 8 months ago

Great post. I'm with ya all the way on it, especially the hard chairs part. Man, I hated working on those hard chairs, and when one works from home, getting away from home becomes that much more important.

There's plenty of business to go around. I'd love to see more of these small, locally-owned shops spring up around here. Our half-city, half-rural area is a funky, art-filled, music haven disguised as a conservative town off the 101 before one gets to Santa Barbara. The more of our real character that emerges, the better. :)

Dr. Thomas Ho · 8 months ago

I JUST told her to tell you because I hadn't noticed that you had already commented.

Douglas Karr · 8 months ago

Thanks for sending the link my way, Thomas! You're right - great post. Let's hope that Starbucks is listening, although I'm not sure they can put the engines in reverse now.

Kyle Sellers · 8 months ago

Thanks for the shout out, Karoli! I have only been to elementcoffee twice, but had a fantastic experience both times.

I full heartedly agree with you about supporting smaller coffeeshops, and just as importantly, small specialty roasters. I am not anti-Starbucks or mega-coffeechain, they usually have good coffee. But they don't have the best coffee, and never will while there are artisan roasters who pour their lives into their coffees. And most of the coffees at large chains are what I like to call "safe." Or, if I'm in a bad mood, I call "just coffee." They don't do anything special or exciting, like a good blend from Stumptown, Coffee Klatch, Intelligentsia, or many others.

Karoli · 8 months ago

Kyle, I remember when I thought Starbucks was the be-all and end-all of coffee. That was in the days where 7-11 coffee was the norm. And I, too, have nothing against Starbucks. Their employee benefit offerings for part-time workers are outstanding when compared to other corporations. But I can't bear the idea of a world where everything is a chain, and there's no room for a local small biz to succeed. We've been slowly moving toward local everything, and the coffee is probably the last. Luckily we have amazing produce grown here, so that's been an easy shift. I found a bookstore right around the corner, so go there first when looking for books. But you're right -- these shops have amazing coffees.

I especially love having the choice of different coffees. That's really a treat.

Dr. Thomas Ho · 8 months ago

HOORAY! Finally, WE AGREE on something! :-)

Be sure to tell @douglaskarr about your post. He's a strong supporter of independent coffee shops here in central Indiana.

I hope to see you over at http://hookk.com where I'm trying to get the #tcot folks to try since Twitter seems to be having problems. Have you been over there yet?

Karoli · 8 months ago

Hookk.com looks very interesting. I'll give it a shot. :) I knew that we'd eventually find something to agree about. ;-)

bbluesman · 8 months ago

On supporting locals and indies-totally agree. Still got to the twins that cut my hair although now a designated trip as opposed to right by my old office. Coffee. Well although my neighboring roaster guy has delicious coffee and tantalizes me whenever he roasts a batch of beans i don't patronize him and opt for Costco's beans which are good and reasonably priced. Main reason is the roaster is an arrogant twit. I even tell my wife we should eat out occasionally just to support small merchants.

Karoli · 8 months ago

Well...arrogant twits are something else entirely. :) We also don't go out to dinner often,but are trying to do it every couple of weeks purely to support these folks. It's not much, but if enough people do it, it'll make a difference.

bbluesman · 8 months ago

Yeah I'm a small businessman myself so definitely appreciate the ethos...

PXLated · 8 months ago

Never got into Starbucks as their coffee seems a little too bitter for my tastes but have never understood why others have even if they like it. Starbucks has always been stingy with their WiFi whereas all the independents and even smaller chains here (Caribou, Dunn Bros, etc) have had open, free WiFi all along.
Within my sphere we have a small independent I used to prefer but the new owner drove all the regulars away, probably wouldn't still be around if there wasn't a bus stop 45 ft. from the door. The local Caribou is the place to patronize now. Friendly manager/employees and never kick you out for hogging WiFi.

Tkbigdog · 8 months ago

Let's not forget All Things Tea, a local business in Camarillo, selling quality loose leaf tea. We are so lucky to have a place like this in Camarillo with quality merch and a knowledgable staff.

ursulas · 8 months ago

I totally agree with you about this!
That's why we go to to Thai Lotus Restaurant in south Reno instead of PF Cheng's. Both serve gluten free food but I want the little business to stay open!
I'm stuck with Starbucks because they are the only coffee shop within 5 miles of me that has an indoor area with wifi. :-(
But when I am in downtown Reno, I go to Java Jungle!
Thanks for your thoughtfulness on this subject!