Consumerist: Coffee

Hamilton Beach Insists The Broken Part On Your Coffee Maker Doesn't Exist

Carey — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:15:21 EDT

Jim needed to replace the gold-tone filter on his $70 Hamilton Beach coffee maker, but the filter recommended by Hamilton Beach's website clearly didn't fit. When Jim called to complain, a customer service representative insisted that Jim's coffee maker didn't come with a gold-tone filter, and that if Jim thought otherwise, he was entirely out of luck and would need to buy a new machine.

Jim writes:

I'm writing to make you aware that Hamilton Beach is selling a product that you cannot purchase a replacement filter basket for, at all, in no way, shape, or form. It's really too bad that we had to get this seventy dollar paperweight from Hamilton Beach before realizing how stupid we apparently are for wanting such an item. How foolish of us to think that we could actually get a replacement part for their coffee maker.
The model in question is the 47454, "Brewstation Deluxe" Coffee Maker from Hamilton Beach.

A few weeks ago after pulling the gold-tone filter for our Brewstation Deluxe from the dishwasher, I noticed that a hole had somehow been made in the metal fabric of which the filter is comprised. My wife ordered a replacement filter for the Brewstation Deluxe - the one that Hamilton Beach recommends as a replacement *on their website,* so we figured that all was in the clear. Once the replacement gold-tone filter arrived, it was immediately obvious that there was no way in Hell that this replacement was going to fit the coffeemaker. It's too small on all sides by about 1/4" to 3/8" - and since the original filter basket had plastic tabs on the sides and back to make it sit flush in place, there's no way that this replacement could possibly fit.

I called the number underneath the lid of my Brewstation Deluxe and spoke with a woman who spoke at first in a straightforward fashion, and became increasingly difficult as the point of the matter came to fruition. I asked her repeatedly if I could order a replacement filter for my Brewstation Deluxe, and her repeated answer was that the unit does not HAVE a gold-tone filter basket. I reassured her that, inside the box for my Brewstation Deluxe, was packed in plastic a gold tone filter basket that held the coffee for the coffeemaker. Again, she replied with the fact that there is no gold tone filter for the Brewmaster Deluxe.

The rest of the conversation went like this:

Me: "Ma'am, I just discarded of my damaged gold tone filter basket for my Brewstation Deluxe, model 47454."
HB: "Sir, there is no such gold tone filter for the Brewstation Deluxe."
Me: "I just threw mine away, which is why I am calling Hamilton Beach for a replacement."
HB: "Sir, that model does not have a gold tone filter basket."
Me: "Are you calling me a liar?"
HB: "Sir, that model has no replacement filter basket."
Me: "The Hamilton beach website says that the filter that I purchased to replace my damaged one does not fit. Is the website wrong?"
HB: "The website is wrong."
Me: "So, a customer needing a filter basket is ostensibly permanently out of luck?"
HB: "Yes."
Me: "So, I now have a seventy dollar coffeemaker that has no replacement filter, and I have to buy another machine?"
HB: "Yes, that is correct."

Hmmph. Well, knowing what I know now about my big ol' seventy dollar non-coffeemaking piece of shit from Hamilton Beach, I want to make sure that other Consumerist fans don't purchase this product. What a waste. I can rig it so that it works, but that means destroying the fifteen dollar replacement filter to make it kind-of work. What a joke. Thanks for nothing, Hamilton Beach.

I hope this helps SOMEONE, because I'm pissed about this. I like my morning coffee! Now I have a replacement filter that HB SAYS works, but does not fit at all.

Does anyone know of a DIY solution that can shrink a gold-tone filter?

Video: The History Of Maxwell House Shrinkage

Ben Popken — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:20:47 EDT

This video shows how a variety of food products have shrunk over the years, while the price remains the same, and the tricks manufacturers use so we don't notice the differences. She stacks up the coffee cans as they go from 16 oz to 11 oz. At one point, Maxwell House says that while the size is going down, the potency is going up. "We've fluffed the beans!" they say. So then why do the instructions on the side of the can for the amount of coffee you use to make a perfect cup stay the same? Though we don't really mourn for lost Maxwell House value, the example is illustrative of standard industry tactics, even on food that doesn't taste like crap.

Food Amounts Shrink Over Years, But Containers Are Same Size [WTAE] (Thanks to Kevin!)

Starbucks New "Perfect Oatmeal" Loved By Cat

Ben Popken — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:28:13 EDT

Starbucks delivered their new "healthy choices" breakfast menu to The Consumerist this morning, and, falling blindly into their free breakfast trap, we all tried it out. A taste review will follow, but for now, just know that for some reason, my cat, Captain Duvel Moneycat, loves Starbucks new "Perfect Oatmeal." Seriously,he was freakin' on this bowl, it was disturbing. I took it away shortly after taking this exploitative photo.

Fellow Consumerist Tests Coffee Grounds Tips So You Don't Have To

Chris Walters — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:37:37 EDT

We want to commend hhole for electing himself or herself guinea pig on this morning's coffee grounds post. Apparently, hhole immediately started rubbing coffee grounds all over his or her body in order to see if it really would work as a facial scrub/hair shiner. (Of course, this only makes us want to come up with some imaginary "use" for, say, kitty litter or corn meal to see whether hhole takes the bait.) Read this intrepid commenter's first person report below.

Seeing the coffee ground story I was completely stoked to head upstairs and try out the new coffee ground solution. Outcome...overall a big fail.

Shorty63136 hit it on the head. I used about the same amount of water that a small 3rd world nation uses to rinse the last bit of ground out of my hair. Aargh... I just rubbed the back of my ear and found another ground. Yeesh.

As a facial and foot scrub it was fine but as a body scrub I don't recommend it for anyone past the body hair level of "smooth". Again, so much water to get off so few grounds.

Overall, I vaguely smell like the days when I was a barista. Best to leave the past in the past in this instance.

Past the body I really don't think I'd put grounds on a pet just because coffee is toxic for them and I'm not sure I could prevent grounds getting in their mouth. Plus, with all the hair, I have no clue how many lakes I'd have to drain to get Hungry the Cat clean.

A Medium Starbucks Coffee Has Over Four Times The Caffeine Of Red Bull, And Three More Caffeine Facts

Alex Chasick — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:23:27 EDT

The New York Times has a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest on the health effects of caffeine. The study analyzes various claims made about caffeine, and it also offers a useful chart listing the caffeine content in typical drinks and foods. For instance, at 320 milligrams per 16 ounces, a Starbucks grande coffee has over four times the 80 milligrams of caffeine of a Red Bull.

Other findings by the Times and CSPI:

Unless you consume more than 575 milligrams, caffeinated drinks don't actually make you pee more.
Coffee does not increase the risk of heart disease or cancer
Even though it stimulates the metabolism, caffeine does not increase weight loss. It does aid exercise, however, by dulling pain and stimulating the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates.

Sorting Out Coffee's Contradictions [NYT]
Caffeine Chart [Center for Science in the Public Interest]
(Photo: AutumnRedux)

POLL: 73% Of Americans Think Starbucks Is Overpriced, 21% Are Unsure, And The Rest Were Probably Being Sarcastic

Meg Marco — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:42:29 EDT

A new survey says that 73% of Americans think Starbucks is overpriced, 21% said they were unsure, and only 6% came to Starbucks' defense. (We were kidding about that sarcastic thing. Teehee.) The survey also found that the vast majority of American's don't go Starbucks for their daily coffee fix:

Starbucks coffee shops seem to be on nearly corner in major U.S. cities, but surprisingly 76 percent of American adults say they rarely or never visit one of the shops, and only 14 percent say they visit occasionally.

That might be because the java giant's prices are too high.

This may explain why we're so bored of "personal finance experts" telling people to stop going to Starbucks for their daily latte in order to save a million billion dollars a year. Apparently, you've already stopped.

Starbucks coffee is too expensive, new survey says [Star-Tribune]
(Photo: iwantamonkey )

Pardon Me, Waiter? My "Coffee" Is Actually Hot Soy Sauce

Meg Marco — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:26:15 EDT

Here's a bizarre story from Flickr user F1.4. After finishing his breakfast at a "classy" joint in the D.C. area, the server came by and topped off his coffee. When he took another sip...it was hot soy sauce. Bleeccch!

F1.4 says:

This morning I went to one of my favorite restaurants in northern VA for breakfast – it’s a very classy joint, and the food and service is always spectacular. I was sitting outside finishing up my steak and eggs and had just put away my first cup of coffee. As most of my friends know, I generally avoid caffeine so even a little bit is like liquid crack for me, and the first cup had cleared my head and made an already beautiful morning that much better.
The ever attentive waiter noticed my empty cup and promptly topped me off – by now I was rockin the caffeine, the birds were chirping, the sun was smiling, so I gulped down another mouthful and……and something is really wrong here – what the hell did I just drink – It looks like coffee, but I don’t think it is, as a matter of fact it tasted like hot Soy Sauce?! Suddenly I wasn’t sure if I just drank coffee, soy sauce, or maybe some cleaning chemical ended up in the coffee. I am almost instantly nauseous, probably not from what I drank, but my mind and body running in overdrive trying to figure out if I should hurl, because whatever I just drank sure as hell wasn’t coffee.

I call the maitre de over and explain they had a serious problem with their coffee. About two minutes later the manager stops by to tell me they had a mix-up, and that I had indeed just enjoyed a steaming mouthful of Soy Sauce. Apparently they keep heated Soy Sauce in a coffee carafe for fish dishes, and somehow the carafe of Soy Sauce was mixed in with the carafes of regular coffee. The manager was mortified, and comped my breakfast and acknowledged that I was probably not pleased at the moment and she hoped I would be enticed to come back with a fifty dollar gift card.

I felt the restaurant responded appropriately so I won't post its name, and I am glad I didn’t boot my breakfast in a classy joint, but doesn’t Soy Sauce look a little too much like coffee to be putting it in a coffee carafe – nobody saw this coming?

We agree, the restaurant responded completely appropriately, but still, the story was too funny not to share. Hot soy sauce. Eeeeeeeewww! Time for someone at that restaurant to buy one of these.

(Photo: F1.4 )

UPDATE: The name of the mysterious soy-coffee restaurant has been revealed on DCist!

You Starbucks haters out there can rejoice, ...

Chris Walters — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:53:44 EDT

You Starbucks haters out there can rejoice, because the company just posted its first quarterly loss EVAR "of $6.7 million, or 1 cent per share, compared with a year-earlier net profit of $158.3 million, or 21 cents per share." Store closures and restructuring are to blame, as well as the fact that nobody can afford anything anymore. [Reuters]

This Coffee Shop's Restroom Policy Is Extremely Subtle

Meg Marco — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:38:42 EDT

We were talking about pay toilets and restroom policies yesterday, which we can only assume is what prompted reader Stephen to share this photo of a sign he noticed at a coffee shop in Denver, CO. Stephen thinks it's a "real thirst whetter." We couldn't agree more.

Starbucks has changed its mind and will keep ...

Chris Walters — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:18:44 EDT

Starbucks has changed its mind and will keep selling sandwiches after all. Now they're looking at less stinky cheeses and less butter in an attempt to keep the smell from interfering with the coffee aroma. [Blogging Stocks]

Devastated Latte Lovers (Allegedly) Launch "Save Our Starbucks" Campaigns...

Meg Marco — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:52:02 EDT

The Wall Street Journal would have you believe that devastated Starbucks-lovers all over this nation are launching campaigns to try to save their "beloved" Starbucks. We're not entirely sure that we believe this based on the single example given in the article, but we'll play along...

In towns as small as Bloomfield, N.M., and metropolises as large as New York, customers and city officials are starting to write letters, place phone calls, circulate petitions and otherwise plead with the coffee company to change its mind.

"Now that it's going away, we're devastated," said Kate Walker, a facilities manager for software company SunGard Financial Systems who recently learned of a store closing in New York City.

While searching for another example of someone who was devastated, we happened across a website called "Save Starbucks," and grabbed some representative highlights from the guestbook.

"hey are closing two of my favorite Starbucks in Jacksonville, FL. I am devastated! This can not happen!!! I am going to try to get others organized to fight this!"

"I'm not upset... there is one within a few blocks of each other. I try to support local business anyway !"

"who gives a flying f#@k what this yuppie created pos company does.......i hope they all shut down and never-never-never-open againnnn..."

"I am a school teacher and each morning a group of about eight of us meet up at the local starbucks which is three blocks away from our school, and I just hate to see it going out of business. What may we do to stop it?"

"You'll piss and moan about $4 gas but think nothing of paying $4 for a pint of coffee. You morons, that's $32 per gallon."

"Please use this opportunity to learn about good coffee and support your local businesses instead."

"Ummm....Who gives a rats @ss!!!!!!!"

Well, there you have it. We were able to find a few folks who don't want this particular Starbucks to close, so maybe you are out there somewhere.

If so, tell us in the comments.

Starbucks Gets Pleas Not to Close Stores [WSJ via Starbucks Gossip]
(Photo: Travelin' Librarian )

A Complete List Of Starbucks Locations That Will Be Closing

Meg Marco — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:30:32 EDT

Starbucks has released the complete list of stores that will be closing. You can browse the full list, organized alphabetically by state, inside.

Alabama
parkway e @ roebuck plaza 9190 pkwy birmingham al
university & 20th 801 20th st s birmingham al
hwy 59 & cr 4 3800 gulf shore pkwy gulf shores al
29th & firefighter 1830 29th ave s homewood al
madison square mall 5901 university dr huntsville al
i-65 & spring hill 3451 spring hill ave mobile al
dauphin & du rhu 9 du rhu drive mobile al
old shell & mcgregor 4401 old shell rd mobile al
airport & foreman 6601 airport blvd mobile al
university & old shell 5611 oldshell rd mobile al
foley beach & canal 4725 main st orange beach al
rocky ridge & morgan 2531 rocky ridge rd vestavia hills al

Arkansas
hollywood & hwy 18 1301 main st blytheville ar
hwy 264 & dixieland 105 s dixieland lowell ar
hwy 270 & i-30 1900 mlk drive malvern ar
i-55 & hwy 64 320 bancario marion ar
hwy 67 & mccain 4120 e mccain north little rock ar
pinnacle hills & northgate 3351 pinnacle hills pkwy rogers ar
pinnacle hills promenade 2203 s 45th st rogers ar
hwy 59 & rena 2008 fayetteville rd van buren ar

Arizona
i-10 & sunland gin 4985 n sunland gin rd eloy az

California
garfield & valley 1 e valley blvd alhambra ca
katella & 57 fwy 2420 e katella ave anaheim ca
bellevue & winton 1861 bellevue rd atwater ca
baker & mojave pointe 56383 mojave pointe baker ca
bellflower & belmont 16601 bellflower blvd bellflower ca
harbor walk 328 first st benicia ca
shattuck & cedar 1600 shattuck ave berkeley ca
imperial & laurel 703 e imperial hwy brea ca
brea union plaza 2435 e imperial hwy brea ca
brentwood & nancy 7760 brentwood blvd brentwood ca
castaic & lake huges 31818 castaic rd castaic ca
e palm canyon & monty hall 68718 e palm canyon dr cathedral city ca
3rd & h st 3037 h st chula vista ca
otay ranch town center 2015 birch rd chula vista ca
monument & erickson 2250 monument blvd concord ca
mckinley & magnolia 115 n mckinley st corona ca
dos lagos 2795 cabot dr corona ca
rosemead & garvey 9327 garvey ave el monte ca
center & bruceville 8785 center pkwy elk grove ca
san pablo & park 4125 san pablo ave emeryville ca
visalia & belmont 1102 visalia rd exeter ca
sierra & i-15 3840 sierra ave fontana ca
sierra lakes pkwy 16645 sierra lakes pkwy fontana ca
herndon & marks 7010 n marks fresno ca
first & shields 3089 e shields fresno ca
e fifth & hwy 101 831 e fifth st gonzales ca
mission and sorenson 26953 mission rd hayward ca
sanderson & stetson 3511 w stetson ave hemet ca
flordia & sanderson 2801 w florida ave hemet ca
san juan & miller 1280 san juan rd hollister ca
florence & mt view 2901 florence ave huntington park ca
clinton & hwy 49 711 state hwy 49 jackson ca
valley view & firestone 16610 valley view ave la mirada ca
pch & boat canyon 636 n pacific coast hwy laguna beach ca
sr 173 & corona circle 312 state hwy 173 lake arrowhead ca
lake forest & muirlands 22621 lake forest dr lake forest ca
del webb & sun city 1520 del webb blvd lincoln ca
banner st & star st 14820 star st lodi ca
crenshaw & vernon 4371 crenshaw blvd los angeles ca
vermont & mlk 1005 w martin luther king blvd los angeles ca
mammoth & meridian 436 mammoth rd mammoth lakes ca
limonite & pat's ranch rd 6253 pat's ranch rd mira loma ca
marguerite & college dr 28171 marguerite pkwy mission viejo ca
trabuco hills 27775 santa margarita pkwy mission viejo ca
standiford & tully 3430 tully rd modesto ca
ramona & mission 4467 e mission blvd montclair ca
atlantic & garvey 141 n atlantic blvd monterey park ca
nason & fir 27110 eucalyptus ave moreno valley ca
norwalk entertainment center 12200 civic center dr norwalk ca
holt & san antonio 562 w holt blvd ontario ca
euclid & philadelphia 2254 s euclid ave ontario ca
grove & philadelphia 2200 s grove ave ontario ca
foothill & i-15 12592 foothill blvd rancho cucamonga ca
hwy 111 & rancho las palmas 71743 hwy 111 rancho mirage ca
cypress & civic center 760 cypress ave redding ca
california & placer 1701 california st redding ca
1299 university 1299 university ave riverside ca
canyon springs & corporate ctr 2692 canyon springs pkwy riverside ca
promenade @ truxel 3630 n freeway blvd sacramento ca
auburn & madison 5040 auburn blvd sacramento ca
stockton & mack 7800 stockton blvd sacramento ca
mira mesa 9450 mira mesa blvd san diego ca
missiongorge rd 6171 missiongorge san diego ca
1st & market 101 market st san diego ca
college & lindo pesso 5131 college ave san diego ca
euclid ave & federal blvd 1722 euclid ave san diego ca
university & aragon 6511 university ave san diego ca
30th st & el cajon 2990 el cajon blvd san diego ca
national & 36th 3582 national ave san diego ca
park & university 3830 park blvd san diego ca
11th & c 1122 brdway ave san diego ca
metreon 101 4th st san francisco ca
901 market street 901 market st san francisco ca
lincoln & willow 1167 lincoln ave san jose ca
1st & lyon 1640 e 1st st santa ana ca
golden valley & soledad canyon 26503 golden valley rd santa clarita ca
lincoln & montana 732 montana santa monica ca
1620 mendicino ave 1620 mendocino ave santa rosa ca
madera & royal simi valley 1368 madera rd simi valley ca
tweedy & otis 4184 tweedy blvd southgate ca
n lake & jack pine 775 n lake blvd tahoe city ca
newport & el camino real 14001 newport ave tustin ca
newport & main 13681 newport ave tustin ca
mountain square 386 s mountain ave upland ca
bear valley & hesperia 17080 bear valley rd victorville ca
la paz & valley center 14689 la paz dr victorville ca
mooney @ caldwell 3530 s mooney blvd visalia ca
ygnacio & north main 2001 n main st walnut creek ca

Colorado
121 st & sheridan 12161 sheridan blvd broomfield co
conifer town center 27191 main st conifer co
16th & wynkoop 1750 16th st denver co
colorado & alemda 320 s colorado blvd denver co
denver newspaper agency bldg 101 w colfax ave denver co
colfax & wadsworth 1509 wadsworth blvd lakewood co
hwy 119 & martin 15 ken pratt blvd longmont co
the shops at centerra 5897 sky pond dr loveland co
hwy 34 & denver 1385 n denver ave loveland co

Connecticut
prospect hill 137 prospect hill rd east windsor ct
1201 king's hwy 1201 kings hwy fairfield ct
wethersfield ave 682 wethersfield ave hartford ct
evergreen walk 301 evergreen way south windsor ct
windsor locks 209 ella grasso turnpike windsor locks ct

Washington D.C.
21st & l street 2101 l st washington dc

Delaware
seaford commons 22888 sussex hwy seaford de

Florida
altamonte mall 451 e altamonte dr altamonte springs fl
altamonte mall-kiosk 451 e altamonte dr altamonte springs fl
promenade at bonita bay 26841 s bay dr bonita springs fl
us 41 & pelican landing pkwy 24630 s tamiami trail bonita springs fl
desoto square 303 us hwy 301 blvd w bradenton fl
countryside mall ii 27001 us hwy 19 n clearwater fl
kapok cove & mcmullen booth 904 n mcmullen booth rd clearwater fl
lake ida rd & jog rd 13910 jog rd delray beach fl
coconut point 2 8017 plaza del lago dr estero fl
six mile cypress & colonial 9390 six mile cypress pkwy fort meyers fl
edison mall #3 4125 cleveland ave fort meyers fl
altamont ave & mcgregor blvd 2059 altamonte ave fort meyers fl
gulf coast town center 9903 gulf coast main st fort myers fl
1100 w broward blvd 1100 w broward blvd ft lauderdale fl
cr 210 & nature walk 3055 cr 210 w jacksonville fl
phillips & baymeadows 8060 phillips hwy jacksonville fl
forsyth & main 11 e forsyth st jacksonville fl
treasure coast square mall 3306 federal hwy nw jensen beach fl
abacoa ii 1200 town center dr jupiter fl
lakeland square mall 3800 us hwy 98 n lakeland fl
lakes mall 3399 n state rd 7 lauderdale lakes fl
sw 160th st & us 1 9600 sw 160th st miami fl
us 41 & golden gate pkwy 2128 tamiami trail n naples fl
immokalee rd & i-75 2405 tarpon bay blvd naples fl
750 ne 125th st 750 ne 125th st north miami fl
paddock mall 3100 sw college rd ocala fl
sr 200 & sw 114th 9548 sw hwy 200 ocala fl
west oaks mall 9401 w colonial dr ocoee fl
orange park mall 1910 wells rd orange park fl
kingsley & blanding 410 blanding blvd orange park fl
wells & blanding 1907 wells rd orange park fl
orlando fashion square mall 3351 e colonial dr orlando fl
oviedo marketplace 1515 oviedo marketplace blvd oviedo fl
boynton beach mall 801 n congress ave palm beach fl
downtown @ the gardens 11701 lake victoria gardens palm beach gardens fl
gardens mall iii 3101 pga blvd palm beach gardens fl
pga commons central 5100 pga blvd palm beach gardens fl
davis hwy @ university pkwy 8101 university pkwy pensacola fl
coral square mall 9439 w atlantic blvd pompano beach fl
becker rd & turnpike 650 sw becker rd port st lucie fl
30a & winston 5 main st rosemary beach fl
seminole mall downstairs 155 towne center cir sanford fl
seminole mall upstairs 155 towne center cir sanford fl
hwy 30a & watercolor 1735 county hwy 30a santa rosa beach fl
sarasota square mall 8201 s tamiami trl sarasota fl
lakeshore mall 901 us hwy 27 n sebring fl
eglin pkwy & plew ave 1198 eglin pkwy shalimar fl
6th ave & 6th st s 625 6th ave s st petersburg fl
us 1 & market pl 4209 se federal hwy stuart fl
2223 se ocean blvd 2223 se ocean blvd stuart fl
ocala & w tennessee 800 ocala rd tallahassee fl
racetrack rd & hillsborough 13811 w hillsborough ave tampa fl
university mall 2164 e fowler ave tampa fl
citrus park ii 8021 citrus park tn ctr tampa fl
buffalo ridge 4046 wedgewood ln the villages fl
indianriver mall 6200 20th st vero beach fl
city place ii 650 s rosemary ave west palm beach fl
cr 545 & stoneybrook w pkwy 15502 stonybrook w pkwy winter garden fl
winter park village 480 n orlando ave winter park fl

Georgia
vinings 2941 paces ferry rd atlanta ga
roswell rd @ i-285 5841 roswell rd ne atlanta ga
peachtree @ 17th 1375 peachtree st ne atlanta ga
ga aquarium 250 park ave w atlanta ga
east-west connector & powder springs 2860 e-w connector austell ga
mall of georgia ii 3333 buford dr buford ga
us 80 & mall rd 2011 veterans pkwy dublin ga
pleasant hill plaza 1630 pleasant hill rd nw duluth ga
gwinnett mall 2100 pleasant hill rd duluth ga
veterans memorial pkwy & buckner blvd 836 veterans memorial pkwy mableton ga
macon mall 3661 eisenhower pkwy macon ga
bass rd & starcadia cir 1693 bass rd macon ga
east-west connector & s cobb dr 4624 camp highland rd se smyrna ga

Hawaii
waiakea center 301 maka'ala st hilo hi
malolo sand island 120 sand island access rd honolulu hi
victoria ward center 1200 ala moana blvd honolulu hi
hokua 1288 ala moana blvd honolulu hi
maui marketplace 270 dairy rd kahului hi

Iowa
lindale mall 4444 first ave ne cedar rapids ia
coral ridge mall 1451 coral ridge ave coralville ia
northpark mall 320 w kimberly rd davenport ia
main & 2nd 201 n harrison st davenport ia
division & locust 1736 n division st davenport ia
asbury plaza 2515 nw arterial dubuque ia
merle hay & johnston 5340 merle hay rd johnston ia
capitol village 2209 university dr boise id
meridian 1742 e fairview dr meridian id

Illinois
stratford square mall 617 stratford square mall bloomingdale il
the promenade bolingbrook 627 e boughton rd bolingbrook il
river oaks center 96 river oaks ctr calumet city il
market place mall 2000 n neil st champaign il
rte 6 & ridge 27243 w saxony dr channahon il
plummer & rte 4 1140 commercial ct chatham il
altgeld & lincoln 2475 n lincoln chicago il
ashland & atgeld 2454 n ashland ave chicago il
95th & western 2347 w 95th st chicago il
roosevelt & homan 3350 w roosevelt rd chicago il
pill hill-95th & stony island 1753 e 95th st chicago il
167th & crawford 4019 w 167th st country club hills il
vermillion & lakeshore 3100 n vermillion danville il
north & york 291 n york st elmhurst il
harlem & george 2848 n harlem ave elmwood park il
87th & kedzie 8738 s kedzie ave evergreen park il
grand & mannheim 10335 w grand ave franklin park il
rte 34 & henderson 1890 n henderson st galesburg il
nameoki & johnson 3457 nameoki rd granite city il
20505 n hwy 12 20505 n hwy 12 kildeer il
homer township 14124 s bell rd lockport il
rte 23 & etna 110 etna rd ottawa il
sterling & i-74 4221 n sterling peoria il
north & lathrop 7601 w nave river forest il
south holland 401 e 162nd st south holland il

Indiana
wayne & calvary 1426 n wayne st angola in
i-74 & sr 229 14 alpine dr batesville in
sherman & albany 1718 churchman ave beech grove in
sr 1 & lowe's 2133 n main st bluffton in
carmel 2316 e 116th st carmel in
rte 53 & 109th 10761 brdway crown point in
lloyd expressway & red bank 5000 w lloyd expressway evansville in
sr 3 & lincoln 1703 n lincoln st greensburg in
greendale centre 789 us 31 greenwood in
38th & meridian 3778 n meridian st indianapolis in
96th & allisonville 9642 allisonville rd indianapolis in
the precedent 3855 e 96th st indianapolis in
fall creek & college 2910 n college ave indianapolis in
w 38th & gemco 5060 w 38th st indianapolis in
16th & sharon 3021 w 16th st indianapolis in
keystone & national 3801 s keystone ave indianapolis in
sr 3 & parkview 1902 s memorial dr new castle in
metropolis mall 2499 futura pkwy plainfield in
rte 6 & augusta 6200 us hwy 6 portage in
us 50 & jackson park 1250 e tipton st seymour in
cleveland & portage 3600 portage rd south bend in
speedway & cunningham 5945 crawfordsville rd speedway in
us 41 & hart 2605 hart st vincennes in

Kansas
college & pflumm 13430 college blvd lenexa ks
95th & quivira 11780 w 95th st overland park ks
central & tyler 8971 w central wichita ks

Kentucky
s danville bypass & brenda 3491 s danville bypass danville ky
euclid & upper 535 s upper st lexington ky
hubbards & westport 285 n hubbards ln louisville ky
poplar level & hess 3009 poplar level rd louisville ky
hwy 68 & paris bypass 320 letton dr paris ky
hwy 27 & jefferson 2049 s hwy 27 somerset ky

Louisana
corporate blvd & energy dr 5720 corporate blvd baton rouge la
siegan & perkins 8729 siegan ln baton rouge la
airline and highland 19970 highland rd baton rouge la
perkins & bluebonnet 7777 bluebonnet blvd baton rouge la
i-10 & siegen 6556 siegen ln baton rouge la
coursey & market 14241 coursey blvd baton rouge la
essen ln & mancuso 5565 essen lane baton rouge la
airline hwy & harry dr 8183 airline hwy baton rouge la
burbank & bluebonnet 9837 bluebonnet blvd baton rouge la
loyola & duke 3117 loyola dr kenner la
verot school rd & pinhook 115 verot school rd lafayette la
pecanland mall 4700 milhaven rd monroe la
i-20 & pines 6730 pines rd shreveport la

Massachusetts
middlesex turnpike burlington 47 middlesex turnpike burlington ma
dartmouth mall 200 n dartmouth mall dartmouth ma
ewton centre 70 union st newton ma
emerald square mall 999 s washington st north attleboro ma
sharon five post office square sharon ma
stoughton 425 washington st stoughton ma
shrewsbury st marketplace 225 shrewsbury st worcester ma

Maryland
park place 2 park place annapolis md
harborplace 301 s light st baltimore md
belvedere 5911 york rd baltimore md
collington plaza 3524 ncrain hwy bowie md
beltsville i-495 10240 baltimore ave college park md
easton dudrow farm 28601 marlboro ave easton md
montgomery village plaza 18314 contour rd gaithersburg md
cloppers mill shopping center 18066 mateny rd germantown md
fairwood green village center 12530 fairwood pkwy glenn dale md
pikesville 1433 reisterstown rd pikesville md
saint charles towne center 11110 mall circle waldorf md
westfield 11160 veirs mill rd wheaton md

Maine
bangor mall 663 stillwater ave bangor me
bangor broadway 652 brdway bangor me

Michigan
fairlane town center 18900 michigan ave dearborn mi
buhl building 535 griswold st detroit mi
millender center 333 e jefferson ave detroit mi
jefferson & e grand blvd 7201 e jefferson detroit mi
eastpointe 22511 gratiot ave eastpointe mi
corunna & linden 4455 corunna rd flint mi
groesbeck & utica 31205 utica rd fraser mi
gaylord 1251 w main st gaylord mi
rivertown crossing 3700 rivertown pkwy grandville mi
canal & 44th 4375 canal sw grandville mi
w washington 1925 w washington greenville mi
gull rd & sprinkle 5625 gull rd kalamazoo mi
grand river & saginaw 3201 e grand river lansing mi
eastwood towne center 2941 preyde blvd lansing township mi
ludington 4551 w us hwy 10 ludington mi
twelve oaks mall 27500 novi rd novi mi
meridian mall 1982 grand river ave okemos mi
downtown rochester 439 main st rochester mi

Minnesota
e main frontage rd & prospect 2221 e main frontage rd albert lea mn
northtown mall 599 northtown dr ne blaine mn
radison rd & 109th 2331 108th lane ne blaine mn
brooklyn blvd & 55th 5512 brooklyn blvd brooklyn center mn
66th & hwy 252 615 66th ave n brooklyn center mn
brooklyn blvd & 69th 6901 brooklyn blvd brooklyn center mn
east burnsville 14637 country rd 11 burnsville mn
nicollet & hwy 55 250 e traveler's trail burnsville mn
coon rapids 3450 124th ave nw coon rapids mn
main st & hwy 10 2740 main st coon rapids mn
round lake & hwy 10 13131 riverdale dr coon rapids mn
hwy 15 & torgerson dr 1140 torgerson dr fairmont mn
grant & western 2280 grant st faribault mn
hastings & hwy 55 1731 n frontage rd hastings mn
lincoln square 3156 century ave n mahtomedi mn
madison & hwy 22 1881 madison ave mankato mn
warren & stadium 1680 warren st mankato mn
e southview dr & main st 1201 e main st marshall mn
125th & central 12555 ulysses st ne minnapolis mn
hwy 7 & co rd 101 5101 county rd minnetonka mn
hwy 36 & hwy 5 5980 neal ave n oak park heights mn
rockford square 4000 annapolis ln plymouth mn
tyler rd & mall dr 144 tyler rd n red wing mn
w circle dr & 26th 2665 commerce dr nw rochester mn
marschall & 17th ave 1539 17th ave e shakopee mn
242 w 7th 242 w 7th st. paul mn
lifestyle cnter 9000 hudson rd woodbury mn

Missouri
clayton and baxter 14815 clayton rd chesterfield mo
sr n & i64 7827 hwy n dardenne prairie mo
graham & i 270 1261 graham rd florissant mo
howdershell & dunn 6045 howdershell rd hazelwood mo
w florissant @ lucas & hunt 8031 w. florissant ave jennings mo
13th & main 1 e h&r block way kansas city mo
hwy 150 & hwy 291 3701 sw hollywood dr lees summit mo
sr k & weldon spring 4581 hwy k o'fallon mo
elm & sh-370 3788 elm st st. charles mo
union station 1820 market st st. louis mo
manchester & sappington 10025 manchester rd st. louis mo
telegraph & erb 6070 h telegraph rd st. louis mo
euclid & laclede 9 neuclid ave st. louis mo
7th & russell 2000 s 7th st st. louis mo
hwy 100 & s pointe 3081 phoenix center dr washington mo
lockwood & rock hill 234 w lockwood webster grove mo
hwy 94 & ofallon 5851 wwood dr weldon springs mo

Mississippi
i-55 & hwy 6 100 house-carlson dr batesville ms
lakeland & layfair 204 a e layfair dr flowood ms
hwy 98 & lake forgetful 6136 hwy 98 w hattiesburg ms
i 55 & main 1903 main st madison ms
hacks & goodman 7058 hacks cross olive branch ms
i-20 & pearson 403 riverwind rd pearl ms
northpark mall-the mills 1200 e county line ridgeland ms

North Carolina
chatham downs 141 chatham downs chapel hill nc
wilkinson blvd 3220 wilkinson blvd charlotte nc
northlake commons 9335 center lake dr charlotte nc
piedmont town center 4620 piedmont row dr charlotte nc
worthington 1520 overland park ln charlotte nc
providence rd & sharon amity rd 2921 providence rd charlotte nc
firetower rd & arlington blvd 1889 e firetower rd greenville nc
valley hills mall 1960 hwy 70 se hickory nc
nash street 2113 nash st wilson nc
harper hill commons 4912 country club rd winston salem nc

North Dakota
kirkwood mall 868 kirkwood mall bismarck nd
university & 16th 1601 university drive fargo nd
13th & 25th 1310 25th st fargo nd
i-29 & 13th ave 3402 13th ave s fargo nd

Nebraska
hwy 370 & 36th 3811 twin creek dr bellevue ne
23rd & clarkson 610 e 23rd st fremont ne
2nd & w 42 st 4116 2nd ave kearney ne
120th & blondo 2012 n 117th ave omaha ne
center & 63rd 6303 center st omaha ne
hwy 370 & 72nd 1423 papillion dr papillion ne
72nd & giles 8440 s 72nd st papillion ne

New Hampshire
rochester shoppes 160 washington st rochester nh

New Jersey
hammonton nj 80 s white horse pike hammonton nj
newark/broad st 744 brd st newark nj
ridgew00d 10 wilsey square ridgewood nj
west belt plaza 57 route 23 s wayne nj
willingboro 4364 route 130 n willingboro nj

New Mexico
wyoming & menaul 2270 wyoming albuquerque nm
hwy 550 & hwy 64 500 w brdway ave bloomfield nm
n main & temple 2800 n main st las cruces nm
n main & walmart access 4506 n main st roswell nm

Nevada
horizon ridge & horizon dr 65 e horizon ridge pkwy henderson nv
mission center 1340 e flamingo rd las vegas nv
maryland parkway - unlv 4626 s maryland pkwy las vegas nv
eastern beltway 2390 e serene ave las vegas nv
sahara & buffalo 8000 w sahara las vegas nv
desert inn & decatur 4810 w desert inn rd 3 las vegas nv
buffalo & washington 7595 w washington ave las vegas nv
jones & flamingo 6100 w flamingo rd las vegas nv
paradise & harmon 4480 paradise rd las vegas nv
tropicana & eastern 2510 e tropicana ave las vegas nv
charleston & brush 5181 w charleston blvd las vegas nv
ann & painted mirage 5590 painted mirage rd las vegas nv
durango & charleston 950 s durango dr las vegas nv
sky pointe & buffalo 6515 n buffalo dr las vegas nv
centennial & simmons 6360 n simmons st n las vegas nv
north mesa plaza 1513 w craig rd north las vegas nv
lake mead & rancho 3720 lake mead blvd north las vegas nv
1st & sierra 50 n sierra st reno nv

New York
bay ridge 8414 third ave 8414 3rd ave brooklyn ny
cedarhurst 426 central ave cedarhurst ny
central islip town centre 101 s research pl central islip ny
walden galleria mall 2000 walden ave cheektowaga ny
rte 11 & hogan rd 7897 brewerton rd cicero ny
central avenue kohls center 1818 central ave colonie ny
douglaston plaza 242-02 61st ave douglaston ny
east aurora 160 main st east aurora ny
east meadow 2330 hempstead turnpike east meadow ny
carrier circle 6570 weighlock dr east syracuse ny
elwood 1946 jericho turnpike elwood ny
fulton ave 123 fulton ave farmingdale ny
geneseo 4262 lakeville rd geneseo ny
union turnpike 8989 union turnpike glendale ny
atlas park 8000 cooper ave glendale ny
greece 2150 ridge rd w greece ny
broadway mall 385b brdway mall hickville ny
islandia 1750 veterans hwy islandia ny
lockport 5774 s transit rd lockport ny
mamaroneck ave 320-322 mamaroneck ave mamaroneck ny
1675 broadway 1675 brdway manhattan ny
galleria at crystal run one galleria dr middletown ny
old country road 106 old country rd mineola ny
sweetheart corner 3911 brewerton rd n syracuse ny
new hyde park village 1441 jericho turnpike new hyde park ny
400 madison avenue 400 madison ave new york ny
1600 broadway 1600 brdway new york ny
46th & fifth ave 565 fifth ave new york ny
madison & 44th 340 madison ave new york ny
macy's 5th floor - herald square 151 w 34th st new york ny
poughkeepsie galleria 2001 s rd poughkeepsie ny
1 roslyn rd 1 railrd ave roslyn heights ny
watt st 24471 watt st schenectady ny
southampton 20 nhwy southampton ny
southold 53345 route 25 southold ny
forest promenade 1756 forest ave staten island ny
palisades center 4451 palisades ctr dr west nyack ny
westbury 467 old country rd westbury ny
the source mall 1504 old country rd westbury ny

Ohio
1505 fifth ave 1505 w fifth ave columbus oh
yukon building 601 n high st columbus oh
reynoldsburg 6144 e main st columbus oh
dublin, sawmill & hard 7561 sawmill rd dublin oh
the shops at fallen timbers 3100 main st maumee oh
richmond town square 691 richmond rd richmond heights oh
ohio valley mall 67800 mall rd st. clairsville oh
maxtown 925 n. state st westerville oh
high st 530 n high st worthington oh

Oklahoma
main & wayne 1610 n main st altus ok
hwy 66 & country club 1100 s lynn riggs blvd claremore ok
29th & linda 4755 se 29th st del city ok
danforth & santa fe 2015 w danforth rd edmond ok
15th & santa fe 2141 w 15th st edmond ok
sheridan & gore 1204 nw sheridan rd lawton ok
hwy 69 & comanche 427 s george nigh expy mcalester ok
shawnee & 6th 591 w shawnee muskogee ok
122nd & pennsylvania 12124 n pennsylvania ave oklahoma city ok
memorial & may 3131 w memorial oklahoma city ok
broadway extension & britton 125 w britton rd oklahoma city ok
western & 89th 9201 s wern ave oklahoma city ok
14th & bradley 2400 n 14th st ponca city ok
hwy 62 & meadow creek 1702 s muskogee ave tahlequah ok
81st & mingo 9524 e 81st st tulsa ok

Oregon
tanasbourne - haggens 18000 nw evergreen pkwy beaverton or
cornell & 188th 1887 nw 188th ave hillsboro or
hawthorne ii 1864 se hawthorne blvd portland or
20th & division 2045 se division st portland or
clackamas town center ii 11860 se 82nd ave portland or
tillamook shops 1701 wilson river loop rd tillamook or

Pennsylvania
trexlertown 6379 hamilton blvd allentown pa
logan valley mall route 220 & goods ln altoona pa
chestnut plaza 118 e chestnut ave altoona pa
neshaminy mall 707 neshaminy mall bensalem pa
downtown bloomsburg 34 e main st bloomsburg pa
new britain 290 w butler pike chalfont pa
dallas 184 memorial hwy dallas pa
palmer town center 677 s 25th st easton pa
north hanover 189 eisenhower dr hanover pa
paxton street 3462 paxton st harrisburg pa
3rd & market 225 market st harrisburg pa
granite run mall 1067 w baltimore pike media pa
english village 1460 bethlehem pike north wales pa
station squre-bessemer court 5 station square dr pittsburgh pa
plymouth meeting mall 500 w germantown pike plymouth meeting pa
muhlenberg 3225 n5th st reading pa
stroudsburg 1000 shoppes at strouds rt 611 stroudsburg pa
upper moreland 2770 eon rd upper moreland pa
warrington route 611 711 eon rd warrington pa
rt 611 willow grove 1107 eon rd willow grove pa
wyomissing ii 798 woodland rd wyomissing pa

South Carolina
e main st & drayton rd 1855 e main st spartanburg sc

Tennessee
appling & us 70 7610 us hwy 70 bartlett tn
hwy 58 & hwy 153 4503 hwy 58 chattanooga tn
nonconnah pkwy & houston levee 4630 merchant park cir collierville tn
hwy 51 & lanny bridges 1625 hwy 51 s covington tn
i-40 & pine ridge 1796 roane state hwy harriman tn
highland & baltimore 112 e baltimore st jackson tn
strawberry plains & i-40 7228 region lane knoxville tn
dexter & germantown 1645 n germantown pkwy memphis tn
germantown & market plaza 2293 n germantown pkwy memphis tn
riverdale & maltan 3586 riverdale rd memphis tn
hwy 96 @ mall circle drive 207a stones river mall blvd murfreesboro tn
stones river mall kiosk 1720 old fort pkwy murfreesboro tn
hwy 64 & hwy 194 7275 hwy 64 oakland tn

Texas
south arlington 1201 w arbrook arlington tx
cooper & green oaks 5435 s cooper arlington tx
collins & green oaks 2733 n collins arlington tx
matlock & bardin 4645 matlock arlington tx
s congress and academy 1007 s congress austin tx
mopac & slaughter 5000 w slaughter austin tx
hwy 83 & boca chica 100 expressway 83 brownsville tx
us 377 & us 67 300 w commerce brownwood tx
spid & weber 3920 s padre island dr corpus christi tx
staples & doddridge 3738 staples corpus christi tx
greenville & matalee 3715 greenville ave dallas tx
preston & beltline 14891 preston rd dallas tx
lovers lane & greenville ave 5500 greenville ave dallas tx
camp wisdom rd & hwy 67 3431 camp wisdom rd dallas tx
skillman and audelia 9090 skillman st dallas tx
northpark mall ii 8687 n central exp dallas tx
lbj & montfort 5631 lbj fwy dallas tx
illinois & westmoreland 3403 w illinois ave dallas tx
coit & 635 7995 lbj dallas tx
pleasant run & hampton rd 900 n hampton rd desoto tx
cedar ridge & wheatland rd 107 s cedar ridge dr duncanville tx
montana & mcrae 9615 montana rd el paso tx
spring valley & midway 13901 midway rd farmers branch tx
camp bowie & hulen 4603 camp bowie fort worth tx
hulen mall 4800 s hulen st fort worth tx
mccart & altamesa 6221 mccart ave fort worth tx
fm 423 lebanon 5605 fm 423 frisco tx
warren & dallas pkwy 6801 warren pkwy frisco tx
firewheel town center 470 coneflower dr garland tx
shepherd & farnham 3821 shephard houston tx
i-45 & red ripple 6001 n fwy houston tx
hwy 249 & antoine 12503 tomball pkwy houston tx
main & dallas 914 dallas st houston tx
fannin & preston 1018 preston houston tx
westheimer & briargreen 14333 wheimer rd houston tx
bellaire & wilcrest 10611 bellaire blvd houston tx
fannin & macgregor 6400 fannin st houston tx
deerbrook mall 20131 hwy 59 humble tx
hwy 77 & general cavazos 1401 e general cavazos kingsville tx
zapata hwy & chestnut 2201 chestnut laredo tx
town east mall 2228 town e blvd mesquite tx
hwy 271 & white street 901 s jefferson ave mt pleasant tx
lamar & loop 286 3855 ne loop 286 paris tx
i-27 & hwy 70 1301 i-27 north plainview tx
preston & hwy 121 8600 preston plano tx
coit and hwy 190 340 coit rd plano tx
collin creek mall 811 n central exwy plano tx
hwy 75 & park blvd 1881 central exwy plano tx
i-35 & red oak 502 n i-35 red oak tx
cherry & business 35 1205 hwy 35 n rockport tx
hwy 59 & hwy 36 27943 sw fwy rosenberg tx
59 & hwy 762 24406 sw fwy rosenburg tx
san pedro/bitters 13429 san pedro ave san antonio tx
rio grande & laurent 1310 e rio grande victoria tx
valley mills & waco dr 4300 w waco dr waco tx
green oaks & hwy 183 500 b hwy 183 w white settlement tx
us 287 & maurine 2009 maurine st wichita falls tx

Utah
37th & harrison 3685 s harrison blvd ogden ut
1914 w & 126th s 1868 w 12600 s riverton ut
cottonwood creek 7835 s highland dr salt lake city ut
1700 s & 2000 w 1642 s 2000 w syracuse ut

Virginia
spotsylvania towne centre 137 spotsylvania towne ctr fredericksburg va
madison crescent 8006 crescent park dr gainesville va
power plant 1984 power plant pkwy hampton va
patrick henry mall 12300 jefferson ave newport news va
stonewall plaza 240 rivendell ct winchester va

Washington
grays harbor haggens 1213 e wishkah st aberdeen wa
burlington & gilkey 1030 s burlington blvd burlington wa
top foods wenatchee 10 grant rd east wenatchee wa
top foods federal way 31515 20th ave s federal way wa
kent haggens 26015 104th ave sw kent wa
orting retail center 211 washington ave orting wa
hwy 101 & del guzzi dr 108 del guzzi dr port angles wa
15th ave e 328 15th ave e seattle wa
denny & aurora 620 denny way seattle wa
met park ii 1220 howell st seattle wa
23rd & madison 2201 e madison ave seattle wa
45th & stone way 1218 n 45th st seattle wa
northgate mall ii 301 ne northgate way seattle wa
42nd & sw alaska 4704 42nd ave sw seattle wa
market and garland 3907 n market st spokane wa
rainier pacific building 1498 pacific ave tacoma wa
southcenter & minkler 17100 scenter pkwy tukwila wa
orchards 6700 ne 162nd vancouver wa
top foods - yakima 2203 s 1st st yakima wa

Wisconsin
fox river mall 4301 w wisconsin ave appleton wi
oakwood mall 4800 golf rd eau claire wi
losey & denton 1422 s losey blvd lacrosse wi
findlay plaza 2825 university ave madison wi
central & mcmillan 1710 central ave marshfield wi
8th & wood 1951 8th st wisconsin rapids wi

West Virginia
the highlands 36 fort henry rd tridelphia wv

(Photo: Captain of the Green And White )

Coffee-Shop Threatens To "Punch" Customer In His "Dick"

Ben Popken — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:26:35 EDT

What could a customer and a coffee shop be scuffling over that would lead the owner to publicly announce that if the customer comes back in, he'll "punch him in the dick?" And the customer saying the only way he'll come back in is with "matches and a can of kerosene?" The right to pour espresso over ice, obviously. The blogstorm began as follows...

Jeff Simmermon's blog:

I just ordered my usual summertime pick-me-up: a triple shot of espresso dumped over ice. And the guy at the counter looked me in the eye with a straight face and said “I’m sorry, we can’t serve iced espresso here. It’s against our policy.”

The whole world turned brown and chunky for a second. Flecks of corn floated past my pupils, and it took me a second to blink it all away.

“Okay,” I said, “I’ll have a triple espresso and a cup of ice, please.” He rolled his eyes and rang it up, took my money, gave me change. I stood there and waited. Then the barista called me over to the bar. I reached for it, and he leaned over and locked his eyes with mine, saying “Hey man. What you’re about to do … that’s really, really Not Okay.”

Blah blah blah, then Jeff ordered a second cup of coffee and left a dollar tip in the tip jar scrawled with the phrase, "Fuck you and your precious coffee policy."

The story got picked up on BoingBoing and Metafilter, with commenters chiming in.

The net blowup prompted the store owner to blog the following:

Okay, we don't do espresso over ice. Why? Number one, because we don't do it. Number two, because we don't do it. Mostly for quality reasons. Also, because more than half the time, it's abused (Google "ghetto latte").

To Mr. Simmermon, you overplayed your hand with your vulgar tip-schtick. While I certainly won't bemoan you your right to free-speech, I have to respond to you in your own dialect: Fuck you, Jeff Simmermon. Considering your public threat of arson, you'll understand when I say that if you ever show your face at my shop, I'll punch you in your dick.

Respectfully,
Nick
Owner, murky coffee

Nick also posted some answers to the most frequently asked questions people were leaving on the blog:

We've got quite a few comments in the moderation-queue, and in a departure from normal procedures, I won't be approving and posting them all. Why? If you want to spew garbage on the internet, get your own blog.

I will, however, respond here to a few legitimate questions that some folks asked.

Q. What's wrong with "espresso over ice?"
Answer: Espresso is a fairly volatile thing, and when it hits ice, it seems to go through a chemical change that we can't fully explain (and I haven't seen a good explanation within our industry quite yet). It does appear to have something to do with ascorbic acid, but when we make our iced americanos (espresso + water + ice), we pour the shots into room-temperature water before adding the ice. Believe it or not, it does make a difference. Pouring espresso over ice creates unpleasantly acrid flavors.

Somewhat similarly, when we make our iced coffee, we go through the trouble of brewing it double-strength directly onto ice. If you brew coffee normally and then pour the hot coffee over ice, it results in unpleasant flavors. Making iced-coffee the way that we do seems to preserve a lot of the unique flavors from the coffees we're brewing (unlike the popular "Toddy" method of cold-brewing for iced coffee), and yields a great drink overall. Again, not entirely sure why the different technique yields such different results, but it does. If we put the coffee through two slits, it'd probably act all confusingly then too.

The second and more mundane reason has to do with the infamous "ghetto latte." More than half of the customers who we gave "iced espresso" to (back before our now infamous policy) would take that cup to the condiment bar and pour 8-14 ounces of milk out of the dairy pitcher, effectively taking advantage of a perceived loophole in the "system." Just as buying a cup of coffee doesn't entitle you to take a pound's worth of sugar packets home with you to put into your jar at home, this "ghetto latte" practice was pretty disheartening and distracting to the baristas. Call it our "infield fly rule," but "no espresso over ice" became our policy in 2006.

Q. Why do you allow "iced americanos," but not iced espresso?
Answer: See answer above.

Q. But why would David, the barista in question, "Hey, what you’re about to do-that’s really, really not okay?"
Because we have our policy, and David was trying to support it, even though the other barista who rang this customer up gave in and gave him "a double espresso and a cup of ice," which, to be frank, the baristas aren't supposed to do.

Q. Why did you threaten the guy with violence? That's not cool!
Maybe you're right. But if someone posts on the internet "the only way I’m ever coming back to Murky Coffee in Arlington is if I’m carrying matches and a can of kerosene" as this dude did, I will, without remorse, post publicly that I will defend our property, even with violence. Yeah, what I wrote was ridiculous. A ridiculous response to a ridiculous statement... at least I hope so. If not, I hope his dick is at least big enough to punch.

Q. The customer is always right
Yeah, that's true. Actually, nevermind. It's bullshit.

Every customer is a welcome guest. But even welcome guests can overstep their bounds, and demanding that we give you something that we say that we can't or won't is overstepping your bounds for sure. I can pretty much guarantee that we spend more time and energy on making our espresso as great as can be, than anyone else in the DC area. That said, not everyone's gonna love it. Such is life. We have our standards. You're more than welcome to partake in it, and you're completely free not to. We'll keep doing our best (and that includes giving good customer service).

This all leads to a whole thing about consumerism that I've been ranting about for years, but this is neither the time nor place for that.

I will add that it is our internal policy that I support my employees, even when they make mistakes. In this case, David wasn't perfect, but he tried to do the right thing. For the Simmermon-dude to write that crap on that dollar bill waived his rights to any civility. Dish it out, then take it. Mr. Simmermon is a big boy. He doesn't need the blogosphere coming to his defense.

Q. Get over it. It's just coffee.
You're absolutely right. Everyone go home and call your mother and tell her you love her. Afterwards, understand that it is "just coffee" after all. However, coffee is our job. That's all. No more, no less.

Thanks for all the comments and emails (for the record, about 40% supportive, 20% critical, and about 40% ignorant and ridiculous... but that's the nature of the sandbox that we blog in, no?).

-Nick Cho, owner

Unless the shop makes the customers sign an EULA, they can't control what people decide to do with their products after they're sold. After that, you just have 3 dicks in a dick-measuring contest. Congrats, you're all winners.

(Photo: Guy Noir)
(Thanks to Jason and Ben!)

A List Of Starbucks Stores That Will Close By The End Of The Month

Meg Marco — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:53:46 EDT

Starbucks is releasing the list of the first batch of stores that are getting the axe. These stores will be closing by the end of the month.

Starbucks says:

Much thought and consideration was given to each location, because we know the impact this has on our dedicated partners, customers and the communities where we operate. The determination of each store’s closure date is dependent on several operational and contractual factors and events. We will be as transparent as possible and each month, after closure dates have been communicated to all affected partners, we will post a list of the stores that are scheduled to close during that month.

Read the full list inside.

Alabama

#10797 - dauphin & du rhu
9 du rhu dr
mobile, al

#11322 - old shell & mcgregor
4401 old shell rd
mobile, al

#11429 - airport & foreman
6601 airport blvd
mobile, al

#11774 - university & old shell
5611 old shell rd
mobile, al

Arkansas

#10883 - hwy 59 & rena
2008 fayetteville rd
van buren, ar

#11864 - hwy 264 & dixieland
105 s dixieland
lowell, ar

California

#9583 - national & 36th
3506 national ave
san diego, ca

#10630 - hwy 111 & rancho las palmas
71743 hwy 111
rancho mirage, ca

#10710 - florida & sanderson
2801 w florida ave
hemet, ca

#10813 - canyon springs & corporate
2692 canyon springs pkwy
riverside, ca

#10888 - ramona & mission
4467 e mission blvd
montclair, ca

#11029 - la paz & valley center
14689 la paz dr
victorville, ca

#11896 - san juan & miller
1280 san juan rd
hollister, ca

#13745 - pch & boat canyon
636 n pacific coast hwy
laguna beach, ca

Iowa

#13570 - main & 2nd
201 n harrison st
davenport, ia

Illinois

#13289 - 167th & crawford
4019 w 167th st
country club hills, il

#13469 - north & york
291 n york st
elmhurst, il

Indiana

#11846 - 16th & sharon
3021 w 16th st
indianapolis, in

#13201 - sr 1 & lowes
2133 n main st
bluffton, in

Kentucky

#10779 - hubbards & westport
285 n hubbards ln
louisville, ky

Louisiana

#11263 - i-10 & siegen
6556 siegen ln
baton rouge, la

#11264 - coursey & market
14241 coursey blvd
baton rouge, la

Maryland

#11799 - collington plaza
3524 north crain hwy
bowie, md

Minnesota

#9564 - frontage & prospect
2221 e main frontage rd
albert lea, mn

#10456 - radison rd & 109th
2331 108th ln ne
blaine, mn

#10457 - main st & hwy 10
2740 main st nw
coon rapids, mn

#10642 - tyler rd & mall dr
144 tyler rd n
red wing, mn

#10871 - round lake & hwy 10
13131 riverdale dr
coon rapids, mn

#11186 - w circle dr & 26th
2665 commerce dr nw
rochester, mn

#11635 - 66th & hwy 252
615 66th ave n
brooklyn center, mn

Missouri

#10834 - west florissant @ lucas & hunt
8017 w. florissant ave
jennings, mo

Nebraska

#11527 - hwy 370 & 36th
3811 twin creek dr
bellevue, ne

Nevada

#6633- desert inn & decatur
4810 w desert inn rd
las vegas, nv

#10393 - tropicana & eastern
2510 e tropicana ave
las vegas, nv

#10462 - charleston & brush
5181 w charleston blvd
las vegas, nv

#10872 - lake mead & rancho
3720 lake mead blvd
las vegas, nv

#11647 - sky pointe & buffalo
6515 n buffalo dr
las vegas, nv

New Jersey

#9365 – cherry hill mall kiosk
2000 route 38
cherry hill, nj 08002

New York

#10840 - central islip town centre
101 s research pl
central islip, ny

#11280 - forest promenade
1756 forest ave
staten island, ny

#11976 - southold
53345 route 25
southold, ny

North Dakota

#10459 - 13th & 25th
1310 25th st s
fargo, nd

Ohio

#2525- 1505 5th ave
1505 w 5th ave
columbus, oh

#11883 - maxtown
925 n state st
westerville, oh

Texas

#9675 - hwy 83 & boca chica
100 expressway 83
brownsville, tx

#10877 - illinois & westmoreland
3403 w illinois ave
dallas, tx

#11302 - hwy 59 & hwy 36
27943 sw fwy
rosenberg, tx

#11565 - zapata hwy & chestnut
2201 chestnut
laredo, tx

#13332 - valley mills & waco dr
4300 w waco dr
waco, tx

West Virginia

#11213 - the highlands
36 fort henry rd
tridelphia, wv

(Photo: Captain of the Green and White )

Starbucks To Close 600 Stores, Cut Up To 12,000 Jobs

Meg Marco — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:49:24 EDT

MSNBC says that Starbucks has announced that it will be closing 600 locations in the US and could eliminate up to 12,000 full and part-time jobs. Previously, the company had announced that it would close only 100 stores.

Reader gibson, who sent in the tip says:

Considering that there are THIRTY-TWO Starbucks within TWO miles of my house, this news seems inevitable. Seriously, 32 Starbucks within a 2 mile radius?! ...Welcome to Portland, Oregon!

You know, people say the roaches and rats in New York are bad— but since I moved here I've seen more Starbucks locations than both of them combined, and I take the subway.

Starbucks to close 600 stores in the U.S. [MSNBC]
(Photo: Travelin' Librarian )

Starbucks To Bring Back "Burnt" Coffee Due To Customer Demand

Meg Marco — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:51:18 EDT

Only a few months after replacing their "bolder" (some would say "burnt") varieties of brewed coffee with the more "mild" (some would say "dunkin donuts-esque") Pike Place Roast, Starbucks has announced that due to popular demand, they'll be brewing some of the old stuff too.

The Wall Street Journal tells us:

"Because of your many requests for a bolder coffee choice throughout the day at Starbucks, we are bringing it back in the afternoon to many of those stores that sell lots of freshly brewed coffee all day long," Starbucks said in a message posted on its customer feedback Web site Tuesday. The company said it will brew a bolder variety for customers when they ask for it. "This will sometimes mean a small wait, but it will also give you the absolute freshest cup of coffee possible," the company said on the site.

Starbucks Restores Bold Blend, Yielding to Its Customers [WSJ]
(Photo: satosphere )

Who Is $4 Gas Hurting? Starbucks!

Meg Marco — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:34:38 EDT

A survey by Kelley Blue Book says that new car shoppers are giving up Starbucks to help offset the cost of $4 gas. Sorry, big green mermaid lady! The KBB study results reveal that 28 percent of new-car shoppers have stopped going to Starbucks or other coffee houses entirely, and 21 percent indicate they are going less often due to skyrocketing gas prices.

“What was once a frequent occurrence such as the morning trip to Starbucks or taking the family to a ballgame just isn’t as financially feasible when $4-per-gallon gas must also share a place in the budget,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “The fact that nearly three-quarters of new-vehicle shoppers see this as a permanent situation demonstrates the enormous effect that skyrocketing fuel costs can have on not just the auto industry, but the entire American economy.”

Not everyone is sad, however. The Toyota Prius is dancing on the grave of the latte (and the Hummer?). KBB says "sixty-two percent of shoppers say that gas prices have either changed their mind or made them think strongly about vehicles they normally wouldn’t have considered."

GAS PRICES CAUSE NEW-CAR SHOPPERS TO CUT SPENDING, BELIEVE SITUATION IS PERMANENT [KBB]

(Photo: Paxton Holley )

How Much Caffeine Is In Your Decaffeinated Coffee?

Jay Slatkin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:01:44 EDT

How decaffeinated is your decaf exactly? That's what Consumer Reports aimed to uncover when they sent their shoppers to sample 36 cups of decaffeinated coffee from 6 locations of Burger King, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's, Seattle's Best Coffee, 7-Eleven and Starbuck's near their headquarters in Yonkers, NY. See the results, inside...

CR says that an average cup of coffee has about 100mg of caffeine. While all decaf will have some caffeine, there are no laws that dictate how much caffeine is allowed in decaffeinated coffee.

Their results,

More than half of our decafs had less than 5 mg of caffeine, but some had quite a bit more. One of the six cups from Dunkin' Donuts had 32 mg; one from Seattle's Best had 29 mg; and one from Starbucks had 21 mg. Levels of caffeine in the decaffeinated coffees we tested varied within chains, but in our sample, McDonald's decaf consistently had less than 5 mg.

Our shoppers bought caffeinated coffee at the same chains, and we found a surprise there, too. Caffeine per cup ranged from 58 mg to 281 mg, providing less or more of a java jolt than you might expect.

We suppose it would be more correct to call the stuff "partially decaffeinated" coffee. If you are someone who is trying to avoid caffeine, you might want to limit yourself to one cup of decaf per day and not drink any before bed. Of course, most of our readers would probably prefer a caffeine IV if such a thing existed.

Is it really decaf? [Consumer Reports]

Rumors: Starbucks To Launch Free WiFi Tuesday

Ben Popken — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:37:47 EDT

A blogger who is friends with a Starbucks manager says that it looks like the long-awaited free AT&T WiFi, even if you're not an AT&T customer, inside Starbucks will launch tomorrow. A few caveats:

1. You have to have a registered Starbucks card and use it at least once a month
2. You only get 2 free hours per day
3. You will still have to carve out your own piece of square footage, maneuvering among the limbs, inconveniently placed bags, adaptor cords, and deadly gazes other Starbucks laptop campers use to claim their territory.

[Zatznotfunny via Gizmodo]
(Photo: smcgee)

Throwing $4 Drinks At Unfriendly Starbucks Managers Is Not Misdemeanor Harassment

Carey — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:00:01 EDT

A Portland jury recently found Latasha Curry not guilty of misdemeanor harassment for throwing a $4 venti iced mocha at a Starbucks manager who accused her of running a free drink scam. Curry was initially offered a free drink after she complained that her iced tea was too bitter. When she tried to redeem her freebie two days later, store manager Ryan Smith decided that Curry looked suspiciously like a woman who redeemed a free drink from a different store 11 months earlier. Smith accused Curry of running some elaborate drink scam, prompting Curry to serve Smith a free venti shower.

When asked by Curry's defense attorney how he recognized Curry from 11 months ago, Smith said it was her glasses and her voice.

Curry later testified that she doesn't wear glasses and produced a driver's license as evidence.

Upset because she felt targeted, Curry said she began to raise her voice as Smith raised his.

Curry said when the other employee placed the drink on the counter, she grasped it, then let go when Smith grabbed it and tried to pull it toward him. He spilled the drink on himself, she said, when she let go of the cup.

"I was very much upset," she said. "He accused me of going to a store in Jantzen Beach and in his words running a scam. I was offended. . . . I don't need to steal for or scam for a $4.20 drink."

Smith called 911 after the incident, claiming that "a customer [just] assaulted me with a hot drink." We'd like to think that Curry would be entitled to a freebie if her iced tea was served scalding hot.

Starbucks' corporate office essentially sided with Curry, saying: "Providing great customer service is part of (the company's) commitment and if a drink isn't perfect, we want customers to let us know and we'll make it right."

Dispute over spilled Starbucks mocha ends up in Portland court [The Oregonian]
(Photo: ka3vo)

Consumer Reports has decided to weigh in ...

Meg Marco — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:12:54 EDT

Consumer Reports has decided to weigh in on the new Pike Place Roast. CR once described Starbucks' coffee as "burnt and bitter," did the new roast manage to charm their testers? [CR]

Dunkin' Donuts Won't Give You A Cup Of Iced Coffee Because You Look Under 18

Carey — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:20:08 EDT

Coffee lovers, rejoice! Dunkin' Donuts is giving away free 16 oz. cups of iced coffee today—unless you look under 18 and don't have identification. Tipster Carolyn watched with disbelief as workers at the Dunkin' Donuts at 1433 2nd Avenue on New York's Upper East Side refused to serve two high school seniors who didn't have identification.

Carolyn writes:

I walked into the Dunkin' Donuts and there were three people ahead of me in line. The first two were two girls, who were together. One asked for a free iced coffee, and the guy behind the counter asked her for ID.
She asked why he needed it, and he responded that she had to be over 18 to receive the free coffee. She asked if he was serious, and said she didn't have any ID.

At that point, those of us behind her in line started saying that we'd never heard of that rule, and I said that I'm a high school teacher and many of my 14-year-old students today had gotten free iced coffee.

He replied that he didn't make the rules, and the girls left.

The woman ahead of me and I then pulled out our IDs to get our coffee, but he said he didn't need to see them, it was just that those girls looked so young to him.

How odd! Let's look at Dunkin' Donuts Brand Marketing Officer Frances Allen's description of free iced coffee day:

We look forward to treating everyone to a free cup of our delicious, freshly brewed iced coffee on May 15.

Not everyone who look over 18. Not everyone with ID. Everyone!

We called the Dunkin' Donuts on 2nd Avenue and said that we were 17 and in need of free iced coffee. They told us to get lost, adults only. For the hell of it, we called two more Dunkin' Donuts' down the block. Neither is carding customers, and one told us to "bring the kids."

According to the corporate office, free iced coffee day is for everyone. They're trying to track down the franchisee to work out a solution. Another free iced coffee day seems in order. Kids only.

(Photo: cheesebikini)

Starbucks: Shut Up, I'm Recording The Celtics Game!

Meg Marco — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:59:25 EDT

In the era of sports Tivoing, Starbucks baristas are powerless to avoid having the game ruined by thoughtless, chatty customers... or are they? Apparently, one Boston-area barista is fighting back. Do think this worked?

The sign reads:

Customers,

Please try not to talk about the Celtics game. I am recording it and watching it when I get home tonight. I would really prefer to not know the outcome ahead of time.

Thanks.

An extra bold request [Passive Aggressive Notes]
(Photo: Passive Aggressive Notes )

10 Things You May Not Know About The People Who Make Your Coffee

Meg Marco — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:34:18 EDT

The Chicago Red Eye has a list of 10 things you may not know about the men and women who make your lattes and whatnot. This one is gross, but important:

Just because their finger is black doesn't mean it's dirty.
Many baristas get "espresso finger," which is when their index finger looks blackened because they've been leveling coffee grounds on the portafilter all day.
The sullied finger can stay dark even after repeated washings.

"Sometimes I keep it in my pocket so people don't see," said Intelligentsia barista Michael Phillips.

We can see how that might be awkward.

Barista diaries[Chicago Red Eye]
(Photo:Matthew Oliphant)

Starbucks CEO: McDonald's And Dunkin' Donuts Don't Sell "Premium Coffee"

Meg Marco — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:38:40 EDT

Maria Bartiromo interviewed Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz about the "new" Starbucks and asked him the one question he probably didn't want to hear:

Earlier you said to me, the media has made such a huge deal about all of Starbucks' competition. So tell us straight out what the story is here. Have you been hurt by the premium coffee sold at McDonald's (MCD) or by Dunkin' Donuts getting more aggressive?

"First off, I don't think there's premium coffee being sold at those fast-food places..."

"Second, this is not about the competition. Our customers are not buying a hamburger and fries and then going to get espresso. That's not the case. What is the case is that there's a downturn in the economy. As a result, people are coming in less often than they did a year ago. But we control our own destiny. And what we strongly believe is if we take care of our customers, produce the kind of product that is distinctive, and exceed their expectations, we're going to be in great shape. But we're going to couple that with relentless innovation that you'll begin to see in the marketplace in the months ahead. Uh-oh! That's not what Consumer Reports says! From Consumer Reports' fast food coffee taste test:

McDonald's, $1.35, was decent and moderately strong. Although it lacked the subtle top notes needed to make it rise and shine, it had no flaws.

Burger King, $1.40, looked like coffee but tasted more like hot water. It was a little sour, with an unusual hint of chocolate.

Dunkin' Donuts, $1.65, was weak, watery, and pricier than Starbucks. It was inoffensive, but it had no oomph. (If you brew with Dunkin' beans at home, you can make it stronger.)

Starbucks, $1.55, was strong, but burnt and bitter enough to make your eyes water instead of open.

CR's take. Try McDonald's, which was cheapest and best, or make your own coffee—just call it something special. The other three were all only OK, but for different reasons.

We consider Starbucks to be a fast food place. Don't you? Drive-thrus? Check. Mini-stores inside big box stores? Check. Menu items with 700+ calories? Check.

Howard Schultz on Reinventing Starbucks [BusinessWeek via Starbucks Gossip]
Starbucks wars [Consumer Reports]

Last week, Jamba Juice gave away breakfast ...

Chris Walters — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:13:27 EDT

Last week, Jamba Juice gave away breakfast paste while Starbucks gave away teeny cups of less-burnt coffee. Tomorrow, Dunkin' Donuts gets in on the action with a free artery-clogging donut with every coffee purchase, in honor of Tax Day. [Dunkin' Donuts] (Thanks to LE!)

Are Starbucks Baristas Forgetting To Give You Your Free Refills?

Meg Marco — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:29:28 EDT

The Starbucks card has some spiffy new benefits (including free refills on brewed coffee), but it seems that some employees didn't get the message.

From Starbucks Gossip:

There seems to be confusion about this at some stores. Since I've been charged for refills all this week, I figured the free-refill policy hadn't kicked in. Then this morning, I checked the Starbucks website, which had this message: "Brewed Coffee Refills at No Charge." I showed this to a barista who had me pay for the refill, and she was taken aback — it was news to her. Are stores not telling employees about this new perk?

Good question. Have you had trouble getting your free refills?

Registered Starbucks card users now get free brewed-coffee refills — right? [Starbucks Gossip]

Starbucks Coffee No Longer "Over-Roasted" And Doesn't "Taste Burnt?"

Meg Marco — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:29:51 EDT

Starbucks debuted their new "everyday" coffee blend yesterday and the initial reports say that the new roast seems to be a reaction to all the "over-roasting" criticism that is routinely hurled at Starbucks.

Some reporters from the Chicago Tribune stumbled into a few cups of the mythical new brew a day early. Their description of the experience is weird and gross, but enlightening:

We felt like spies ordering it, photographing it, sniffing it, cupping it, gargling it and finally gulping it down. So here's the scoop: Pike Place delivers a pretty great cup of joe. It's got a light fruity and nutty aroma, a smooth feel on the tongue but nice body and no wimpy finish. This lighter roast (clearly a response to widespread complaints about Starbucks's penchant for over-roasting) allows a broader spectrum of flavors and aromatics to emerge, things that can sometimes be burnt away in a darker roast. Starbucks might not like this, but it kind of reminds me of Dunkin' Donuts' house coffee.

We suppose that's good news for you people in California who are always trying to get me to mail you bags of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, though we're not sure why Chicago Tribune reporters (who presumably have access to Intelligentsia coffee) would be sufficiently excited about some new Starbucks joe that they'd gargle it. I guess everyone pines for the coffee they can't have, eh?

So what do you think? Does the new Pike Place Roast still "taste burnt?" Or is that sad chapter in our nation's history finally over?

Starbucks' new Pike Place Roast drips out early in Gold Coast [Chicago Tribune]
(Photo:Travelin' Librarian)

Starbucks To Debut New "Everyday" Coffee Blend

Meg Marco — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:04:25 EDT

The "something big" tomorrow at Starbucks is a new "everyday" drip coffee blend called "Pikes Place Roast." If you're feeling curious, free samples of the coffee will be handed out tomorrow at all Starbucks locations. Supposedly, the coffee will feature "subtle, rich flavors of cocoa and toasted nuts." Sexy.

BusinessWeek says:

Consistently, customers kept saying: "Give us a coffee we can count on every day, all day, all week," Andrew Linnemann, Starbucks master coffee blender said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters.

Starbucks says it will begin changing the coffee every 30 minutes, rather than letting it sit around, and that locations will also begin grinding the beans in-store (rather than using pre-ground vacuum packed beans,) thus taking Starbucks one tiny step closer to achieving the same quality I get in my kitchen for a fraction of the price.

New At Starbucks: An 'everyday' brew [BusinessWeek]
(Photo:Maulleigh)

What Complaining About Starbucks Hath Wrought: Punch Cards?

Meg Marco — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:20:23 EDT

We decided to check back in with Starbucks' social "idea" site to see what ideas they were thinking of implementing.

Here are the elite few that appear to be winners, although only free wifi has been confirmed:

Under Review: Offer customers a free drink, after purchasing a set number of drinks. Similar to a punch card system or by tracking it thru their Starbucks Card.
Free WiFi: Coming in the Spring.
Under Review: "The difference between Venti and Grande should not just be MILK. I never understand why extra milk is the only difference between Vanti and grande drinks. It is expected that there should be an extra shot!!!!!! Most of people don't even know this "secret"."
Under Review: Healthier high protein breakfast.
Under Review: Stickers to cover lid openings

Happy?

MyStarbucksIdea

The Starbucks barista tip sharing lawsuit ...

Meg Marco — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:49:53 EDT

The Starbucks barista tip sharing lawsuit has spread to New York. [NYT]

Starbucks CEO Thinks Pesky "Laws" Don't Apply To His Company

Meg Marco — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:57:42 EDT

In the state of California it is illegal for supervisors to share in employee tips. Starbucks recently lost a lawsuit brought by an employee who said he was forced to share a portion of his tips with his supervisor. The judgment awarded over $100 million in back tips and interest to the Starbucks baristas of California, and now several similar lawsuits are pending in other states.

Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, however, is more concerned about how the media is portraying Starbucks than he is about paying the back tips. Why? According to a spokesperson, Starbucks won't be changing their practice and they won't be paying up.

Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schultz, in a voice-mail message to employees Wednesday night, called last week's ruling by a California judge "extremely unfair and beyond reason" and said he wanted employees to know the truth.

"I want to personally let you know that we would never condone any type of behavior that would lead anyone to conclude that we would take money from our people," he said.

In a separate statement, the company also said, "Contrary to some reports, Starbucks has not taken money from any of its partners, and nor is there money to be refunded or returned from Starbucks." A spokeswoman said Thursday that Starbucks Corp. has no intention of ending the practice of sharing tips among baristas and shift supervisors in California while it seeks an injunction.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Patricia Cowett, in her ruling last week, said there was "uncontroverted testimony that Starbucks continues to utilize the distribution of tips from the tip pool to compensate shift supervisors as well as baristas." Cowett ordered Starbucks to pay thousands of California baristas $86.7 million plus interest for breaking the law.

Cowett ruled that Starbucks had illegally forced baristas to share tips with shift supervisors, and the judgment could rise to nearly $106 million. The judge found Starbucks violated California law because "agents" of the company, or, in this case, shift supervisors, were sharing tips with baristas. Similar lawsuits were filed this week in Massachusetts and Minnesota, with threats of more suits in other states, including Washington.

Schultz also said that his company was being "grossly mischaracterized" in the media.

Starbucks won't pay back barista tips [Seatlle P-I]
(Photo:Sillygwailo)

No Starbucks Allowed: Indie Coffee Shop Says It Will Stop Using Its Fancy Clover Coffee Makers

Meg Marco — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:53:50 EDT

As we've mentioned previously, Starbucks has purchased the company that makes the $11,000 Clover coffee maker. Now that acquisition isn't sitting well with some of the Clover's current customers.

One indie coffee shop says that it will discontinue use of both their Clover machines on Friday:

The Portland independent bought one of the first Clovers in 2006, later bought a second and also began selling them to smaller shops.

All that ends this week.

"We've never purchased parts or service from Starbucks in the past, and we're not going to start now," said Matt Lounsbury, Stumptown's director of operations, who said the company's two stores with Clovers would stop using them by Friday.

Take that, Starbucks!

Starbucks buys tiny Seattle maker of Clover coffee machine [Oragonian via Starbucks Gossip]

Starbucks New $11,000 Coffee Machine Can't Make Up For Burnt Beans

Ben Popken — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:14:40 EDT

To perk up tepid sales, Starbucks purchased Clover, a company that makes $11,000 coffee machines, machines that make one cup of coffee at a time, but are the results worth the price? The NYT hooked up with a legendary coffee connoisseur and according to his taste test, not even 11g's can make up for burnt beans. Starbucks is often accused by caffeine snobs of over-roasting its beans, which they say destroys most of the subtle aromatics. When the Clover made cups using lighter, non-burnt beans, the coffee came out great. You know, $11,000 could probably buy you a lot of non-burned beans.

Tasting the Future of Starbucks Coffee From a New Machine [NYT]

Tell Starbucks What You Want: More Free WiFi, Plugs For Laptops, Better Coffee...

Meg Marco — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:11:22 EDT

Starbucks has launched a social customer feedback site that asks you vote on and submit your own suggestions to improve Starbucks. The most popular suggestion right now is (unsuprisingly) "give loyal customers the occasional free drink." After that, free WiFi is suggested:

Starbucks needs to make ALL stores have free Wi-Fi. In Seattle I go to Tully's, because of the free Wi-Fi, not superior service.

There are some seating requests:

More of the comfortable-type chairs (cushion) - fewer tables and hard chairs. Offer the bar-type seating in more stores.

And a suggestion for people with ordering anxiety (I love this one. I order "large coffee" and the people at Starbucks always say "What? Large coffee? What?" It's like I'm ordering a Taco Salad.):

Starbucks should enable customers to encode their usual customized drink orders on their Starbucks cards and have a scanner available in the front of the store so customers can walk in the store, scan their cards and automatically have the orders 1) paid for off of the card, and 2) sent directly to the barista so the customers can bypass the traditional order line and are ensured that their orders are received correctly.

The best part of this website is the message from CEO Howard Schultz:

So, pull up a comfortable chair and participate in My Starbucks Idea. We're here, we're engaged, and we're taking it seriously.

Oh Howard, of course you are!

MyStarbucksIdea