(Disclaimer: If you saw the previous blog “Authenticity Part I” as a rallying cry for independent restaurants and businesses, you may consider me a hypocrite when you read this. But I believe in this one as much as that one. I welcome all feedback, positive and negative, as long as it is constructive. So be nice. Otherwise…I’ll delete you, ha ha!).
A musician friend of mine will not set foot near a Starbucks Coffee store. A while back, we had a rehearsal together. I show up proudly clutching my cafe mocha in a white paper cup with green Starbucks logo in my hand. He says to me “Do you realize that a third of the money you just paid for that cup of coffee is supporting Kenny G?”
Why no, I don’t realize that, nor do I care. Mr. G deserves credit for A. making a wise investment and B. not using Starbucks to promote his music (whenever I’m there, I usually hear songs by Billy Holiday, Bob Dylan and Ray Charles etc…).
I’m speaking to you Starbucks Bashers out there. Yes, you. Do I agree with everything about Starbucks? No. Do I think they need to be everywhere in the US and across the globe? No. I realize the coffee’s not that good and there are other places that brew a better cup. And the espresso drinks, while delicious, are a bit overpriced.
“Okay Skolnick!” I can hear you saying. “What gives bro? You admit they’re taking over the planet, the coffee’s sucks and their products costs too much. So dude….like, how can you defend this imperialist mega-corporation in their quest for maximum global domination?”
It can be summed up in three words: it’s the experience.
I’m speaking about the actual Starbucks stores (not the counters found in malls and airports). It is these locations where one walks in and hears music that’s likely to be pretty good, even great. Sure you might hear some new pop music on occasion which is hit or miss, but quite often, you’ll hear the work of Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Django Reinhardt and Bob Dylan. Hot new artists of the week? No, but important, ground breaking musicians of the last century. And very inspiring to listen to over a latte in the living room like interior, where one can find on an array of cozy sofas and loungechairs, tables perfect for writing or typing, an occasional fireplace and WiFi internet access. These elements, along with the artsy interior design, combine to form an oasis that I and millions others find refreshing.
Starbucks stores provide a source of refuge, making it easily worth the extra buck or two per product, This is especially true in the bustling lifestyle of my hometown of New York, where one can often find oneself stuck in Manhattan between appointments but not enough time to go home and back, especially if you live in Brooklyn. The same goes for when you’re on tour, in a strange city and have a few hours to kill before the club opens and you can set up. And nothing comes in more handy than a Starbucks when you’ve been thrown a curveball like the one that recently happened to me.
While boarding an overnight flight to New York, I received an urgent message that I needed to obtain a foreign visa immediately the next day (these types of things happen in the music biz). The first thing I did upon landing at 6am was head to a Midtown Starbucks. I walked in bleary eyed and within moments, I was able to recharge my phone and computer (both had dead or near dead batteries), go on-line, fill out the on-line forms, look up the foreign embassy, google a nearby passport photo/copy place and locate the closest branch of my bank. All the while I was able to make calls and refresh myself with a breakfast sandwich and chai latte as the invigorating sounds of Billie Holiday filled the air.
As I’m writing this on tour, Starbucks stores across the US have given me with a chance to escape the cramped quarters of the tour bus and venue, find my own headspace, get a good internet connection and enjoy a refreshing atmosphere where I can rest or be productive. I cannot imagine these blogs being written without them.
I’m even willing to go so far as to say this: by creating this environment that encourages reading, writing, studying, socializing and other healthy activity, Starbucks is asserting a positive influence on our society. Compare Starbucks to other fast food type chains, most of which have dangerously unhealthy products and ad campaigns and imagery which, intentionally or not, encourage sloth, idle behavior, obesity and lowbrow culture (I’m not going to name names, but use your imagination). You don’t get bombarded with Starbucks ads on TV and the radio. Why? They don’t need them. The stores and products speak for themselves.
Like many of you, I am concerned about corporate chains and don’t want to see our country turned into one identical suburb without character. I support independent businesses whenever possible. But we need to cut Starbucks some slack and give credit where credit is due. No, it is not a perfect company. But it provides an invaluable service, should should be recognized for that and should not be boycotted.
If you have issues with Starbucks, then let them know how you feel here.
And please lay off me and others like me who appreciate Starbucks for making our lives a little more pleasant, convenient and productive.
On that note, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get up and order a Grande Half-Cafe Americano!