When Starbucks Came to Town
72
I live in a small town and so far we do not have many of the super sized malls, or stores. We have an HEB, which is not super sized; we have a Wail-Mart, which is not super sized, a McDonald's, Taco Bell, and a few other small establishments. We did have a little coffee shop that was simply adorable. You walk in and right away, you could feel the warmth of home. Decorated so sweetly, the coffee shop just felt nice. A couch sat by a fireplace to cozy up to, as you drank your Mocha. There were old wooden tables, which had games to play, and books were laid out for your reading pleasure. It was not fancy but just down to earth.
The coffee shop held memories for me. I remember sitting with my sister in law as she cried after putting her dog to sleep. I took my granddaughter there and we sat playing scrabble as she sipped her hot chocolate and I drank my favorite mocha. I remember my alone times, to sit and think, without the interruption of the outside world calling my name. It was my little coffee shop...all mine and no one else's.
All of a sudden, it closed down without warning. I remember riding past, seeing the sign up for sale. I almost had a wreck. Oh, please not my coffee shop! I thought. Where will I go now? I do not want to go anywhere else. My heart felt saddened. I could not understand, as they always seemed busy as cars were always lined up through their little drive through. I soon found out why my little coffee shop closed down so abruptly, I looked up one day to see that a Star bucks had come to town.
I realized that my little coffee shop packed up and was railroaded out of town. How could it compete with Starbucks for goodness sakes. If only he had talked to the citizens of this town, we may have been able to stand with him. Strength lies in numbers. No one should be run out of town. Yes... Star bucks had two things going for it…Money and Fame, but this little coffee place had character. It was warm, cozy, and I never once had to stand in line. Do not get me wrong I do love some Starbucks coffee, but if I had my pick, I would be sitting in that little coffee shop verses standing in line in a much more cold, busy, sterile environment. Starbucks just does not have that warm fuzzy feel to me…not in comparison to my little place.
As the world turns, things keep getting bigger and bigger…super size this... super size that…before we know it… there will no longer be those mom and pop places…the sad thing is deep down, society had done this and we are all part of society. We like bigger and better! It is there where our money is spent, investing into these establishments, pushing the little person out of town. It makes me sad.
I leave you with this poem for my little coffee shop that no longer graces our little town. I miss you already!
The Old Coffee Shop
You held me in your warm embrace,
So gently with care.
Covering me from the outside world,
Offering me a loving place,
I heard you say, "please sit for a while."
While shedding tears over your old wooden tables,
I attempted to lay my head to rest.
While the quietness of your walls,
Held my secrets securely,
Letting me know everything was going to be okay.
Another coffee dear?
Yes, please...
Sunnie Day 2012
Copyright All Rights Reserved
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It is sad to see so many of the quaint little ma and pa shops give way to the larger corporate and greedy corporations such as Wal-mart, Target, Starbucks, etc. I wish we could go back to the days when things were a little more simple in ways. Thanks for sharing. :)
Hi Alecia,
I had to giggle at your comment but then I thought..oh I hope that does not happen..as the cost of funerals is crazy I can see a company coming through marketing a cheap funeral pushing the funeral homes out that have been there for many years. Thanks so much for stopping by.
I'm not a coffee drinker but I do understand the importance of local shops and businesses. And now it's gotten to the point that the only places we go to that are local are churches and funeral homes. Hopefully, no one decides to trademark them. Great hub!
Hello Sue,
You are so lucky that you have more than one choice. I agree so much..quality beats quantity every time..I love a more intimate setting. Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed Sunday,
Sunnie
Hi Sunnie,
It is very sad that your coffee shop was replaced with a Starbucks. I am surrounded by coffee shops in my neighbourhood, Starbucks being one of them. I don't drink coffee but I like tea and hot chocolate. I don't go to Starbucks often as it is usually crowded and there is never a place to sit. I like to sit and relax. Our society wants every thing bigger and faster. A shame if you ask me.
Voted up and away!
I hope you are having a great Sunday. :)
lol Hi Fiddleman,
That is for sure! Thanks for your great comment.
Sunnie
High priced coffee. Like Brill Cream, a little dab will do ya. Great hub Sunnie.
Good Morning Annie,
So good to see you! I hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day..Treat yourself to a starbucks..haha Just kidding..I know it is such a sad thing. Thank you for stopping by and taking time to read..
Hugs,
Sunnie
This epidemic is rife here in Aus also, Sunnie. Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, the Coffee Guru, they are springing up everywhere putting the little businesses that provided that "warmth of home", out of business. I feel your disappointment and I wish I knew the answer, unfortunately the little businesses can't compete. I know where I would rather spend my time and my money, and it ain't at Starbucks!!
Thank you for raising this frustrating problem here, my votes to you Sunnie.
Hello Frog,
Yep...we wont see many places like this for very long..
Very sad.
Thanks for stopping by
Hi Cardisa,
Yes I would also take one of these places anytime.
Thank you for reading. Hope you have a good night.
Sunnie
I really hate these big famous companies. Give that coffee shop any day. As you described it I could picture myself on that couch enjoying my coffee chatting to someone or just reading a book.
Here is the Metroplex they are all over the place. They're also overpriced for coffee.
The Frog
Thank you B and Stessily,
I appreciate your wonderful comments so much. I hope one day maybe I will find another intimate place to enjoy a cup of coffee...Progress presses on but losing so much in the process.
Take care,
Sunnie
Sunnie, Such a lovely, nostalgic piece! You make me feel wistful for your coffee shop. And you've very astutely made the observation that "society had done this and we are all part of society."
Here's to your favourite cup of Mocha! It's sad to think that you had no idea after your last visit that it was your last cup.:-(
Kind regards, Stessily
That Little Coffee shop was your History, your warm Fuzzy Spot for seeing Family and Friends and now it's gone...I can relate Sunnie. Today we do move in the Fast Lane, as do our Children and Grandchildren...and so Starbucks represents that, it's called Progress...And in the Long run we pay for it... more ways than one.
I Loved your Poem, your Ode, to that Little Coffee Shop, and the Video as well.
Good Morning Eddy,
I guess we just love what we love and get in the habit of certain places..I love warmth and comfort in old buildings and familiar surroundings..Thank you for stopping by..
Much love,
Sunnie
Up up and away for you my dear friend Sunnie Day!!!
I could feel your sadness and I could also relate to it.
A favourite haunt of ours was The L'Hirondell and this closed down and in its place a Pound Shop!!!
Not that I have anything against pound shops;quite the reverse actually but it didn't replace our favourite spot of which I still have happy memories.
Thanks for this gem and you always inspire me to write somwthing different;which is important isn't it?? We have to have a variety of everything in life!!!
Great work and enjoy your day my dear friend.
Eddy.
Thanks Jeannie,
Oh I love Dunkin donuts coffee..I dont have one near here but I remember how good it was...Thank you for stopping by..Have a blessed day,
Sunnie
Boo to Starbucks! They are just so pretentious. Can't they just call a small coffee a small coffee? I don't understand all the lingo. Now, I just go to Dunkin Donuts where you simply say, "Small caramel coffee, please." Awesome hub and voted up!
Hello Ruby,
How could we live without our little virtual cafe..the best there is for sure! Thank you so much for stopping by.
Hello Prasetio,
If you ever did make it to this part of the country I promise I would show you real home town hospitality..Thank you so much.
Hello Alastar,
It would be so nice to still be able to sit and enjoy coffee like in times past..in no hurry without a cell phone interrupting the conversation (of course there is that off button lol)..Thank you for your kind words..
Sunnie
If I had my choice Sunnie we'd both be sitting in that coffee shop. One era passes and another takes it's place. Not always a better era either. Character trumps super- size anytime, or it should and we have only ourselves, like you wrote, to blame for it. To your melancholic but sweet poem, I say yes, please....:)
Dear friend, Sunnie Day. I am glad reading this hub. I hope I can visit your town. I think your town quite beautiful with the warmest people like you. Cheers....
Prasetio
I live in a little town too. We don't have a Starbucks, but we have a little Main St. Cafe that's great. Walmart has moved in and most of the Mom and pop stores are long gone. I like to go to Mck's Emerald Wells Cafe to get my coffee fix..How about you? Loved your story....
Hi Krystal,
You are so right..industry keeps getting bigger and bigger..seems small mom and pop shops are no longer around as bigger establishments take over..so sad! Thank you for taking time to read.
Have a great night,
Sunnie
Hello Ruchira,
Enjoy your cup of coffee..:) Thank you for you kind comment. Have a wonderful night,
Sunnie
Hi Bob,
That is very true..but most keep feeding the monster and it just gets bigger and bigger..and that is many different things not just Starbucks. Thank you for reading..
Take care and have a good night
Sunnie
Thanks Nell,
If I could I sure would love to open a little coffee shop here but with the economy I dont think it would make it..so sad. It was such a nice comfortable place to hang out and just relax. Thank you so much for reading. Have a great night.
Sunnie
Hi Sunnie,
Your beautiful and indepth poetry gave me the urge to go to a coffee shop to sip a cup of Joe.
I am usually a Tea person but, now gotta have that cup...lol
beautiful work, Sunnie!
voted up as well.
Local business bring variety and warmth to any neighborhood. Some communities still have them but it is sadly, a dying breed. Thanks for such a wonderful hub and topic!
Yeah: we've got 'em all over the place here, too. High prices, "barristas," as if any fool can't pour a cup of coffee. Lots of tasteless expensive plastic wrapped cakes, etc.
It's a far worse world today and no mistake...greed, greed, greed.
Bob
Hi, I totally understand what you mean, your little coffee shop was like a childs comfort blanket! we had a wooden shack shop in my park for years when I was a child, in fact it only closed about 10 years ago, but had lost its charm by then, we used to sit outside and chat, the lady who owned it would come over and give us our coffee while we would sit there for hours watching the kids play, and listen to the old guys reminising about their past, now its all gone, every shop, or cafe is like a conveyor belt! one on and one off! and starbucks? in my town a coffee costs about 2.50, at least which is about 4 dollars! rated up! nell
You are so kind Mary..Are you home yet from your trip..I am sure your little baby is going to be turning circles when she sees you. I bet you are rested and tanned..envy of all who see your glowing persona! Have a great night.
Sunnie
Hello PWalker,
I would be so part of your your knitting group..I love to crochet and what a nice time that would be to sit and enjoy coffee..Thank you for taking time to read.
Have a nice evening,
Sunnie
Thank you Brenda,
I am afraid they are getting so few and far between sadly. I love that song too...such a oldie but goodie and says it all..Have a blessed day,
Love,
Sunnie
Hi Becky,
Your comment reminded me of a small time pharmacy that I used to use when I picked up my clients medications. They loved the clients and has such a nice relationship over the years. They were mentally challenged adults who they had serviced for years They knew they were on a fixed income. SO if the medication was changed, medicare/medicaid would not always cover the cost so they would give them enough pills to get them through until the end of the month. I am sure they covered the cost. They closed down and nothing was ever the same. I understand how you must feel. Thank you for commenting..Hope you are having a good day.
Hugs
Sunnie
Hello Ann,
I do try to do the same thing. Nothing like having a nice cup of coffee with a friend. Thank you so much for stopping by..
Hugs,
Sunnie
I would take a little coffee shop over Starbucks any day. Starbucks tends to be noisy because it is so busy, and who wants to hear coffee machines constantly grinding when you're trying to sit back and relax.
Fortunately (and despite a Starbucks that is nearby), there are at least two small coffee shops in the little town of Kailua, HI near where I live that are still in business. My crochet/knitting group meets at one of them once a week. We tried a Starbucks that was housed in a former Borders, and between the coffee machines and the loud music Borders insisted on pumping out, we had to move.
So sorry you lost your little coffee shop. Your poem very nicely captures their spirit. Voted up and beautiful!
Hi Debbie,
That is nice you have a nice coffee shop on the square..I guess in this situation Starbucks didnt win out..Thank you for stopping by.
Hugs,
Sunnie
I live in a small town too. we have a coffee house on the square. we had a Starbucks and they closed down. we didn't care very much.
Debbie
Only you could take a subject like Starbucks,and turn it into a Hub that is informative, humorous, a little sad; complete with video and poem. I say that as a compliment to your talent. Maybe that's why I enjoy your Hubs. Regards...
Oh yes Sunnie. Your little coffee cafe is a piece of Americana that is being forgotten. So many people are rushing too and fro and pleased enough to drive up for an overpriced cup of coffee. I wish little coffee shops like yours would make a come back everywhere. I would sit at one and pass on my the giants. This is really a sweet memory and that song by the Judds is one of my favorites.
I'm so sorry you lost your coffee shop. Wal-mart did the same thing to many mom n pop places. The little grocery stores and pharmacies have gone, run out by Wal-mart and their cheap prices. Then Wal-mart raised their prices. I don't drink coffee so I don't have a coffee shop but I really miss my favorite pharmacist. When I didn't come get my prescription, she called me and told me to come get it and I could pay her when I got the money, but I needed my meds. Wal-mart doesn't do that either. She retired and closed up or I would still be paying for my prescription, instead of getting it free.
Mom and Pop stores are disappearing. How sad. I loved the intimacy of those places. I try to create that atmosphere in my kitchen.
I know you will miss it.
Linda.. maybe you can open up a coffee shop one with books and have book signing. .. that's my dream.. I live in a small town and we have a coffee shop on the square. a Starbucks came to town and ii ended up folding.
I like the coffee shop on the square the best. here is to a cup of coffee together..
blessings
debbie
Hello lord,
We may have to boycott Starbucks so they do not raise prices..how much can one cup of coffee cost..I mean REALLY???? Thanks for letting me know so I can start a petition soon...haha
Take care
Sunnie
Oh! Sunnie!
Sad for that coffe Shop that had to depart.
The thing from Starbuck is the green greedy color. Just one Mocha could go up to 2 bucks and change. You are right, the trend and our bigger thoughts are killing our past. Thanks for sharing!
LORD
Hi Mike,
And the best company of all...this was all before the great and wonderful Emerald Wells Cafe which by the way is outstanding...and the service well..no one could ask for more...:)Has filled many holes in this Sunnie Day!
Thank you for stopping in..
Sunnie
Hi Frank,
Thank you for reading..yes we are now moving in the fast lane..just as I finished the last line,,no kidding my daughter walks by and says..."Mom you want a Starbucks?" hahaha
Take care,
Sunnie
I predict that before long we will all be sitting in a digital cafe, drinking digital coffee, but the company will be outstanding.
Now you're town has joined the world in paying too much for coffee.. I miss those dollar for a real reg cup of Joe..:( good Hub Sunnie day..
Sunnie Day Hub Author 2 months ago
Thank you Kitty,
I do agree..I am afraid those days are gone and it is so sad..Have a great day..Thanks again for stopping by.