Tuesday, 19 October 2010
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Interesting News Feed: Starbucks Now Serving Alcoholic Drinks?!
News from CNN Money.
(via CNN Money)Itching for a pint of beer or a glass of wine? Let's head over to Starbucks, where espresso and coffee may not be your only drinks of choice anymore. In Seattle, Washington, (more specifically on Capitol Hill) a Starbucks store with a "learning lab" is now experimenting with alcoholic options, updating the Starbucks menu to a more 21+ happy crowd-pleaser.
Your friendly barista to become your friendly bartender?
Cafe during the day and pub by night, Starbucks is intent on a shift from its strictly coffee-house-image. A concise response as to why Starbucks wants these boozy additions to their food menu was that "customers wished for more relaxing food options in the afternoon and evenings."
Since caffeinated products are not as popular during the evenings as they are in the mornings, Starbucks seems to want to maximize its profits by featuring something new and receptive during the later hours of the day.
CNN Money comments on Starbucks' struggle in the economy's decline, suggesting that Starbucks' latest push for alcoholic beverages to be a business move in attracting a lot more customers.
So far there are no news of the exact menu or names of beer and wine Starbucks might be featuring in their stores. However, I imagine, alcoholic enthusiasts should be prepared for some eyebrow-raising Starbucks-esque mixed cocktails in the future.
Questions for all you drinkers:
What do you think of Starbucks' move towards alcoholic beverages? Do you look forward to this shift? What are some boozy drinks the "learning lab" might be cooking up at Starbucks?
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- From: Sandy
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Comments (42)
wouldnt this require them firing all their under 19 or 21 or w/e the law is, employees?
This seems like a good idea.
It's not going to be labeled as a "Starbucks", though...it will have it's own label. There was talk of this when I still worked there, it would be a different store that serves certain beverages that are alcohol and tea and coffee. The test store is named 'Olive Way' since it is on the street named Olive Way. They want to make it seem more "homey". Oh sure, a glass of wine and a plate of cheese for $19!! Sure, what's more homey than that??
@becoming130@xanga - No, you can serve over 18 but they can also have separate servers who just don't touch the alcohol.
I think it's a good idea. They probably won't be able to serve it until after a certain time, though.
@Peace_Love_Insanity@xanga - its not really the serving im talking about, its the making the drinks..i thought bartenders had to be like 21? maybe im wrong.
@becoming130@xanga - I don't know what state you're in, but to be a bartender in WI, you only have to be 18.
Irish cream wouldn't be a bad addition.
I don't drink starbucks much, and I'm not legal to drink yet so this has not shifted the way I spend my money. When I can drink, I'll probably choose a pub or a bar, not starbucks.
@becoming130@xanga - You have to be 18 to serve alcohol because at 18, you're an adult and responsible for yourself.
love it!
I mean, they've been selling their brand of coffee liqueurs and stuff for years anyway. This is great news! I love that little meme factory. They're such crowd pleasers, so we'll be getting delicious, not terribly surprising, fun drinks. Forget your normal evening starter of a shot of vodka and a sugar free red bull, frozen light coffee cocktails here we come!
I don't think this is such a pragmatic move. If their tall drinks are like, $3, how much will their booze be? I think it's foolish to try and compete with bars and pubs. It won't work out. It's just an overall silly idea.
Hmmm, I'm optimistic.... I'll just wait and see!
I think it's a bad idea. Starbucks is famous and successful as a coffee chain. I wouldn't go to Starbucks for alcohol, namely because I can imagine it being far too expensive, and also because I'd rather go to a bar, not a coffee shop for drinks.
good idea. i wonder what will happen to the underage workers
Hm. I'm actually not sure how I feel about this.
Would definitely be very interesting to see how this works out. Though it sounds like a good idea, I don't know how many of these stores might actually go with this move. Perhaps those in more populated locations would do so, but I'm not to sure about the stores in some of the smaller cities that are just big enough for a store.
It's a good business idea, that's all.
that's hilarious!
@becoming130@xanga - i'm canadian so don't know if the laws are the same in the states, but over here all you need to be is 18 or older and have your smart-serve (which you can easily do online)
i can think of some delicious recipes. i think it'd be cool if starbucks served some alcoholic beverages at night, especially if i lived in a super small town where the only bar is kind of sketchy. also, another advantage would be that a lot of bars are really noisy, so starbucks would be a place you could go with a date to get a drink and actually talk to them.
"CNN Money
comments on Starbucks' struggle in the economy's decline, suggesting
that Starbucks' latest push for alcoholic beverages to be a business
move in attracting a lot more customers."
Sorry CNN, but no shit. They even said they were doing it for the customers.
their economy is in decline? Did not notice it at all.
They should think of other ideas...it's already established its reputation as COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE. now alcohol?i drop by a Starbucks during the evening as well.
I guess whatever works to make them more money. I understand that they probably aren't doing as well as usual. I know I definitely cut the $4 latte since I am poor. It sounds like a good idea. Starbucks is really cozy and a glass of wine would be nice. :)
I've tried the Starbucks brand liqueurs in Canada...they're amazing. But I think this is probably a poor business move and I'm one of the biggest Starbucks fanatics out there. We'll see, I suppose...