Jun 26, 2004 03:45 PM
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(Updated Jun 26, 2004 03:45 PM)
Starbucks started in 1971 in Seattle's Pike Place Market. Over the years, it has acquired Hear Music, the Seattle Coffee Company (Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia) and Tazo Tea Company. Today it is an international business with 7,569 (and counting) stores, and is the world symbol of coffee and tea based products.
Despite the impressive front, Starbucks has managed to stay small-town good by hiring a wide variety of interesting personalities, and creating what is called the ''third place''. Starbucks strives to be the place that is neither home and work, where you can leave your cares at the door, find a comfy chair, enjoy the music and sip your latte, or Frappuccino, or mocha. You can stay for five minutes or you can stay for five hours, but you should always feel that you can sit there without being bothered.
Thirty seconds is the time it should take for you to be recognized from the time you walk in the door. Whether it's with a smile, a ''hey how are ya?'', or a ''your usual grande latte (insert name here)?'', the partners at Starbucks are a friendly bunch and will try to make your first minutes with them the best. Don't be afraid if they try to pull you into their upbeat and funny conversations, it's all part of the Starbucks experience.
The menu board is wide and easy to read. You don't have to waste any time trying to figure out what anything is (unless you are not coffee/tea saavy), as all the names tell pretty much what the drink is. The staff can also help you put a name to a drink you have in mind. If you want non-fat or soy milk, no foam, extra hot, easy whipping cream, flavoured syrup......whatever you want, they can do it! Without complaints.
The pastry case is always a delight to behold. Each beloved scone, muffin, banana loaf and strawberry banana tart is delivered fresh every morning and arranged on clean platters for maximum appeal. The prices are reasonable, considering the quality of the products, and there is something to choose for every taste- and price-range.
As well as scrumptious goodies, there are wholesome bagels, tasty biscotti, all sorts of cookies, and fresh salads and sandwiches! With the salads and sandwiches, it defeats the purpose of running from Starbucks to Subway on your lunch hour. Now you can spend your precious time in the comfort of an over-stuffed armchair with a complimentary Globe and Mail to read.
Speaking of spending your precious time, it is Starbucks standard to have your drink served to you in less than three minutes from ordering it. For the most part, that standard is kept to a T (except for once, but I ran out of ice). At the bar counter, your drinks will appear, along with a verbal call of what you ordered, a smile, and a thank you.
If the daily coffee run isn't for you, and you like to enjoy your brew at home, Starbucks has an even more exciting menu for purchasing beans. Mild, Smooth or Bold: your choice. Each partner has been trained extensively, has tasted every coffee on the menu, and is an expert on the subject of beans. From where they are purchased, to the aroma and flavour of the coffee, to what foods pair best, your friendly neighborhood Starbucks barista is able to answer any questions you might have. They'll even grind them for you at no extra cost.
My Starbucks experience happens daily, as I am both a customer and a certified Starbucks Barista. My favorite drink is our Tazo Chai Latte, which is spiced tea with a little water and some steamed milk. It tastes like a warm hug for my stomach. To compliment that, I like a pumpkin scone. My favorite bean is the Arabian Mocha Java, which is a smooth blend with spicy notes and has a medium acidity. It goes well with the chocolate croissant.
No matter where you are in the world, if there is a Starbucks, the green and white Starbucks siren is calling you. Come into our third place, we'll serve you whatever you want and let you sit for hours and not have to worry about a thing.
