Taking Tea…At Starbucks
January 3, 2009 by Marye Audet
Filed under Uncategorized
Starbucks seems to be grasping at anything that will keep it afloat.
I never like to see a company do too many changes all at once. It always reminds me of what insecure teen age girls do when they experience their first break up. Anyway… Starbucks is going to be adding more tea items to the menu and expanding all things tea at the stores.
Once again I have to lament the lack of choice in the coffeehouse industry in my area. It could be sour grapes (or coffee beans for that matter) on my part since our own shop closed…but having the choice of 6 or more Starbucks within a 10 mile radius is a little much, and it rather monopolizes the area.
Plus, to me, the dynamics of a coffee house and tea shop are different. A coffee house seems artsy, contemporary, upbeat…while a tea shop seems romantic, relaxing, and laid back. To try to morph the two? Hmm…
I don’t think they are trying to do a proper tea. I imagine they are hoping to be versatile enough to pick up a wide range of people. Again, I just wonder if they are trying too hard right now.
image:Marye Audet
I think Starbucks might be considering themselves more competition for Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf merchants, than for actual tea rooms. They are more a “food to go” place.
Think about it. If you want to be served on a real plate or in a real cup you have to ask.
In a tea room you dress nice, plan to make it an event, and you linger. It’s a totally different experience.
Lingerers at Starbucks are taking advantage of the wi-fi capabilities or are reading a paper or book.
True…and oddly enough I got a notcie of their new tea venue in the mail today..more about that tomorrow.
I noticed the same thing when I was at Starbucks recently.
They have a huge sign on the front door, announcing that they are now a “tea place” or something like that.
I only go when I have a gift card so I won’t be taking advantage of their tea. I can brew my own at home, a latte at home is another matter.
very true Brenda..
I hope your christmas was wonderful!