As for Starbuck’s corporate practices, I would be interested to see some real investigation comparing the number of coffee shops that Starbucks has caused to close (which I don’t dispute) versus how many it has caused to open. I know in DC at any rate, there was no coffee-house culture before Starbucks arrived. I am certain that many of the non-Starbucks places, either independents or small local chain were in part begun in opposition to ‘corporate coffee’; would this have happened without Starbucks?

Beyond that, at the very least, all coffee houses have taken advantage of Starbuck’s creating a broad-based demand for coffee of higher quality and greater variety than was available in sandwich shops, McDonald’s, and 7-11. Could that have happened without Starbucks?

Even in Seattle, the very center of the empire, independent coffee places are numerous, or were when I left there several years ago.

I’ve spent a lot of time camping out in various coffee shops over the past couple of years studying for the GMAT and CFA exams, and SBUX is always very high quality in terms of environment, food, and coffee. They wouldn’t be this successful if they didn’t consistently put out a great product/experience. If any given SBUX location was an independent store it would easily be among the best coffee shops in nearby.

My second point is that I don’t like their coffee; it is not good (and yes I’m a coffee snob). I don’t like bitter over-roasted coffee, so I’m very particular. I’ve also tried some of their fluffy drinks where coffee isn’t the star or other add-ons mask the coffee issues. They are cold, which is nice when it’s hot out. But honestly I’d rather spend my money on other things. I sure don’t need to walk around with Starbucks cups to prove my status (or lack thereof), thank you very much.

At first everyone lamented Starbucks making coffee into a luxury foodstuff, now they are trying to outdo them to the nth degree with useless amounts of snobbery.

And just to clarify, I’m not in favor of rampant capitalism.

As for your second point, you’ve clearly never had a valencia orange mocha frapuccino with extra whipped cream.