"Starbucks-ization"

Last Updated: 2002-Jan-06

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I'm a native Seattleite -- yup, born and raised here. Like most of us natives, I don't say much about it, but like most of us, deep inside I'm proud of it, and well, rather smug. Near the year of my birth (after it, mind you), Starbucks was brought into existence: 1971, and their first store continues today, down in the Pike Place Market.

I love their coffee. I'll admit it. I'll shout it! In years past I have crooned about it at great length to all who would listen, and even those who wouldn't (^_^). Sure, I'd take an uber-specialty coffee like Torrefazione or Caffe D'Arte or Vivace over Starbucks. But what I drank daily for, gosh, almost ten years, was Starbucks: Espresso Roast for my morning double-shot in my Saeco Rio Vapore pump-driven machine, and Sumatra Roast for coffee. With French and Italian Roasts being rather popular at home as well, and Sulawesi (oh yum!) and Arabian Mocha Java ("AMJ"), when I had extra money.

And I still like their Espresso, and their Sumatra, pretty much better than other companies' roasts of the same name.

These days, though, I want to give the little, local guys more of a chance. I'm conflicted, to be sure. It rocks that I can go nearly anywhere and find the excellent Espresso Roast or Sumatra or Sulawesi (see above) -- this is immensely reassuring when I'm traveling and the local coffee is CRAP. Diversity is good, though. And wow! -- the quality and cool atmosphere one can find at local shops like Herkimer (Phinney Ridge), Vita (several around Seattle), and Zingaro, is delightful.

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