Starbucks closing stores???

Starbucks Corp. said Tuesday that it had drastically increased the number of stores it plans to close and could eliminate as many as 12,000 full- and part-time positions as a result.

The company said it now plans to close 600 company-operated stores in the United States, up from its previous plans to close 100 stores. The company also said it now plans to open fewer than 200 stores in its coming fiscal year, which begins Sept. 29.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said the job cuts represent about 7 percent of Starbucks' global workforce. Still, Starbucks said it expects many workers to find jobs in nearby stores.

Hmmm...maybe because of opening too many damn stores you have to close them. Especially the ones across the street from each other.


[From MSNBC]

Being "internet homeless"

Since I moved into a new place so I can finish up summer courses, I have been without steady internet access since Wednesday. I can go on the internets at work but I can't focus on writing blogs and other things because i'm focused on...work things.

Forget about going to YouTube, Facebook or Myspace (which I could care less about). They are all blocked at my job. Chalk it up to "This is why we can't have nice things!"

So I if I want free and un fettered internet access I am forced to go to free wifi spots. Some places are open 24 hrs and I gladly take advantage of it. Unfortunately the chairs are uncomfortable, the places aren't that quiet to focus on school work, power cords are in odd locations (or not at ALL) and people who walk by tend to be fucking nosey (I had one guy thinking that i was looking at porn when I just just watching a video of a female vlogger on youtube.)

So i'll give some tips on how to deal with being Internet Homeless.

1. Make sure that the wi-fi spot is free.
I find that paying for wi-fi is absolutley criminal. Paying $3 to check your email is wrong. If the wi-fi is free there is a greater chance that I will spend money on coffee or something else.

2.If you can get a place that is open 24 hours.
I am a night owl and I require something that is open 24/7. At the same time make sure its not in a sketchy area.

3.Make sure the co-workers are cool with you setting up "camp".
Luckily I can create rapport with co-workers easily. If someone doesn't want me there using the internet for a long period of time, be rest assured that I won't be spending my money there.

4. Make sure you are near a source that has coffee or food in good quanities.
It helps to have replenishments on hand. Of course you can bring your own stuff...if they'll let you.

If you become internet homeless I highly recommend Panera Bread. The wi-fi is free and the food is great! Just be sure to get there early because during peak periods the good seats fill up quickly.

Starbucks Pike Place Roast: Sort of Want. (but close to DO NOT WANT)

I guess Starbucks is not making enough money these days. Aside from charging people $9 dollars to drink highly sugarized coffee drinks that aren't named in english and attempting on saving money by (allegedly) not paying baristas their tips in some places, SBUX has to try something new.

They are introducing the New Coke of coffee, Pike Place Roast.

Now I"m not a coffee snob by any strech, but their coffee isn't the worlds greatest. People go to Starbucks for mainly the frappicinos and miso lattes. They also go for things like the friendly atmosphere and (in my case) soy milk as an option to put in drinks.

Yesterday I had a sample of their newest blend, named after the first Starbucks in Seattle. To mark the occasion they even put all of the cups using the throwback logo used back in the 70's. Now the coffee itself is ok, but to me it tastes like an odd blend of Tim Hortons and Dunkin' Donuts coffee...which in turn tasted like a mix between burnt wood and nuts. (FYI: I usually either have my coffee black or with soy milk. I had this black) The coffee is said to be "personally" grinded by a barista and held for only 30 minutes. (yeah right!)

I am not clear on what Starbucks is trying to accomplish here. They first did a stunt where they closed their stores for 90 mins to retrain their minions baristas on how to make the "perfect cup of coffee". Secondly, I think they should worry about lowering the prices instead on doing stunts like the above.

There are mixed reviews about the change everywhere. Personally I say its not bad, but was this change really necessary?

You can check out these blogs for more reaction.

At serious eats
Muddy Dog Roasting