When will it stop?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

I know this has been done to death before and im sorry, but the number of starbucks in Dublin city is too damn high !

I was in the city at the weekend walking around with a friend and plenty of streets we walked had 1 or more starbucks on them, from westmoreland street, o connell street, talbot street, tara street (used to be a pub) and nearly everywhere else we went around south city , ifsc etc.

When will they say that there are too many around ?

Is this causing trouble for other coffee shops ? I like to buy my coffee from independent shops / cafes etc as i find them nicer , i also think it is nicer to support these types of places as they arent big companies with lots of money but more family owned / locally run type job.

Would there be a consumer competition law been broken here or can they open them anywhere they feel ?

Sorry if its a rant but i feel its important , and also to tourists. If an American came over for a holiday for example, they want to try the local food / drink and all they see are starbucks and McDonald's ? I think i would be put off.

If i walked through Paris and saw a starbucks instead of a local cafe id also be annoyed.

I would like to see something done here but i dont know where one would even start.

Raging_Ninja

The number of Starbucks will stop increasing when demand for them is met or exceeded.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Is this causing trouble for other coffee shops ?

Ya they're being mugged

Cool_CM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRz3vfRFfs4

The Simpsons, 18 years ago...

wakka12

Just keep trying to get people to value independent and small retailers and coffee shops. Of course the government wont stop them setting up more as this is a capitalist democracy, they have no right to stop them from growing their successful business. I can only hope for the eventual slow down of their market, because I agree its getting out of hand. I love small, unique, individual coffee shops.

Marcusm

I love coffee but I think I've probably had 2 coffees in Starbucks over the last 18 years or so. However, I love their tea. Nice whole leaves in that big nylon tea bag.

Berserker

Haven't been in one in years. Do they still do the whole 'name on your cup' thing?

Alf Stewart.

Meh. I just don't go in them as I'm not an "overly fond of coffee" kinda bloke, seems a bit offer priced too if you ask me.

I love beer.

Open more Wetherspoons, or other pubs with cheap booze!

VonLuck

There was a new coffee shop that opened in Rathmines maybe earlier this year, then a couple months later a Starbucks opened up literally just across the road. Needless to say they closed down shortly thereafter.

I always thought Rathmines needed two Starbucks.

ThinkProgress

Maybe when people realize that all the coffee they're inhaling is just borrowed energy that they will eventually have to pay back (with interest)...

But drug addiction is a lucrative business.

I do admire how clever starbucks are at constantly re-inventing the wheel while still using the same very basic - and incredibly cheap - drug!

SEPT 23 1989

Easy to expand when you pay very little tax

ScumLord

I don't really have a problem with Starbucks, you get what you pay for. It's not really like other places make much effort to do better coffee, they just do their version of coffee. I don't think I've ever gone into an independent place and had a choice beyond Americano, Latte and cappuccino. I've never been given the option of Colombian, Ethiopian beans, etc.. for example.

At least they have some choices, I'm in France now and when i ask for an Americano I get a look that's not so much "what's an Americano?" but "Jaysus, just have an espresso like a normal person". I can't get a big cup of coffee for love nor money.

The independents need to up their game, just offering espresso based coffees and crying I'm an independent isn't good enough to get people over the convenience of the likes of Starbucks.

ScumLord

ThinkProgress wrote: »

Maybe when people realize that all the coffee they're inhaling is just borrowed energy that they will eventually have to pay back (with interest)...

Coffe doesn't actually give you energy in the same way sugar would as far as I know. It just suppresses sleepy hormones.

ThinkProgress

ScumLord wrote: »

Coffe doesn't actually give you energy in the same way sugar would as far as I know. It just suppresses sleepy hormones.

Yes, you are correct.

It doesn't so much "give" you energy like food... it allows you to access more of your body's energy. But you eventually pay a price for it.

The jolt you get is actually partly adrenaline being released. But we are not designed to use adrenaline that much... so eventually your adrenals (and hormones) start to take a beating!

strandroad

They are full though, people in town use them as meeting/reading spaces for a price of a coffee, tourists set down there too. There are not many civic spaces with seats outside of parks in Dublin, and the weather doesn't help. We don't have a cafe culture of Vienna etc. only pubs, so Starbucks or Costa fill the gap.

riclad

There,s loads of coffee shops in the city centre ,in busy area,s ,
where 1000,s of people pass by.simple economics .
And tourists probably go there as at least they know the brand ,its like the mcdonalds of coffee ,you know exactly what you will get.
Maybe ireland is changing ,some people drink coffee rather than going to a pub.
We need tourist,s so we need to provide a wide range of shops,
including coffee shops .

LETHAL LADY

Over 20 odd years ago my best mate and I decided to head into the big smoke (Waterford City) for a days shopping.
After a couple of hours of spending we decided to have something to eat and popped into some small pretentious cafe, I think it was on John St or thereabouts anyway, for lunch.
We ordered paninis, as was the style of the times, but both of us hadn't a clue when it came to the variety of coffee types on the menu chalked on a blackboard over the till.
At the time I would have known black or Americano and that was about it.
Jesus, I'll never forget how we pissed ourselves laughing when the waiter came over with the paninis and these two tiny cups of coffee.
Turns out the two woolybacks had ordered espressos in our attempt to look sophisticated.
Tbh I still think can't understand the need to feck with a cup of coffee.

R.D. aka MR.D

I split my coffee purchases between indie and starbucks.

I like starbucks for one reason, they train their staff to actually be friendly to the customer. What a concept!

There is one indie place I go that is amazing with lovely staff but other places can be hit or miss. For example, went into that kaph place recently and they were so miserable. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. But unfortunately the barista was having an overly loud conversation with another customer about New York street photography and other equally pretentious topics. So, unfortunately I had to spend much longer than I would have liked in there.

At least at starbucks the guy taking your money will at least smile and say thank you. So it's a great option when you don't feel like being treated like something that some one stepped in.

The Moldy Gowl

LETHAL LADY wrote: »

Over 20 odd years ago my best mate and I decided to head into the big smoke (Waterford City) for a days shopping.
After a couple of hours of spending we decided to have something to eat and popped into some small pretentious cafe, I think it was on John St or thereabouts anyway, for lunch.
We ordered paninis, as was the style of the times, but both of us hadn't a clue when it came to the variety of coffee types on the menu chalked on a blackboard over the till.
At the time I would have known black or Americano and that was about it.
Jesus, I'll never forget how we pissed ourselves laughing when the waiter came over with the paninis and these two tiny cups of coffee.
Turns out the two woolybacks had ordered espressos in our attempt to look sophisticated.
Tbh I still think can't understand the need to feck with a cup of coffee.

And espresso isn't messing with a cup of coffee though? It is as simple as you can get with coffee without snorting the bean.

The Moldy Gowl

ThinkProgress wrote: »

Maybe when people realize that all the coffee they're inhaling is just borrowed energy that they will eventually have to pay back (with interest)...

But drug addiction is a lucrative business.

I do admire how clever starbucks are at constantly re-inventing the wheel while still using the same very basic - and incredibly cheap - drug!

You're really getting into edgelord territory with that nonsense, I'll tip my fedora to you.

johnty56

One of starbucks business methods is to saturate an area with shops, to the point that independents cannot compete or function, and have to close down. Starbucks then close many of the stores they opened, and then have a monopoly in the area. They are Scum.

riclad

its Hard for indie coffee shops to compete against big companys that can
afford to run at a loss for months .

IRLConor

ScumLord wrote: »

The independents need to up their game, just offering espresso based coffees and crying I'm an independent isn't good enough to get people over the convenience of the likes of Starbucks.

Most of the good places will do filter coffee as well.

My nearest one does pretty much any espresso based variant with or without milk or water, at least two different (frequently changing) beans for filter coffee and two variants of iced coffee.

The variety is there if you look for it.

Collie D

Only thing I have against them is the name on the cup thing. You're not my friend, you want my money and I want your coffee, transaction done. Don't pretend you want to get to know me, it just feels sleazy and hookerish

average_runner

Collie D wrote: »

Only thing I have against them is the name on the cup thing. You're not my friend, you want my money and I want your coffee, transaction done. Don't pretend you want to get to know me, it just feels sleazy and hookerish

My sandwich shop and coffee shop know my name, I better move on.

super_furry

Wednesday. It will stop on Wednesday.

The Moldy Gowl

Collie D wrote: »

Only thing I have against them is the name on the cup thing. You're not my friend, you want my money and I want your coffee, transaction done. Don't pretend you want to get to know me, it just feels sleazy and hookerish

The smiley face gets me. That's way worse than my name. At least the name serves a purpose if it's busy.
Piss off forcing your fake happiness on me.

LETHAL LADY

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

And espresso isn't messing with a cup of coffee though? It is as simple as you can get with coffee without snorting the bean.

I know and am a convert for the odd shot myself, but I don't understand all the unnecessary messing that goes on with coffee now is all.

Your Face

I like coffee.

The Moldy Gowl

LETHAL LADY wrote: »

I know and am a convert for the odd shot myself, but I don't understand all the unnecessary messing that goes on with coffee now is all.

Becuase we always like to mess with our food and make them taste different I suppose. It's no different to anything else really.

Each coffee has a different style and texture be it an espresso or a latte. Then you have the different types of beans and how the milk is frothed. The world of coffee is extraordinarily diverse.

Coffee is lifes most simple pleasures.


If we didn't have the likes of starbucks or costa everywhere in Ireland, we probably wouldn't have such a varied market of coffee. Like them or hate them, they get people drinking coffee and they encourage coffee shops to give me a better product.

Stealthfins

By far the best coffee shop in Ireland is Joe's in Lahinch.
Right on the corner there.

LETHAL LADY

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

Becuase we always like to mess with our food and make them taste different I suppose. It's no different to anything else really.

Each coffee has a different style and texture be it an espresso or a latte. Then you have the different types of beans and how the milk is frothed. The world of coffee is extraordinarily diverse.

Coffee is lifes most simple pleasures.


If we didn't have the likes of starbucks or costa everywhere in Ireland, we probably wouldn't have such a varied market of coffee. Like them or hate them, they get people drinking coffee and they encourage coffee shops to give me a better product.

Ah look, I was reared on Maxwell House from a drum, so I'm a bit behind ya there.

The Moldy Gowl

LETHAL LADY wrote: »

Ah look, I was reared on Maxwell House from a drum, so I'm a bit behind ya there.

That's some sad stuff right there.

ThinkProgress

The Moldy Gowl wrote: »

Becuase we always like to mess with our food and make them taste different I suppose. It's no different to anything else really.

True.

But since coffee is a delivery vehicle for the most popular addictive drug in the world, it's also about constantly trying to keep people interested and engaged... so they keep consuming the drug and keep flocking back to their dealer for another fix!

They know most people don't like to see themselves as drug addicts, so they make the delivery method seem suave, sophisticated and trendy! Give it an exotic look and feel etc.

They promote everything about the product, except the drug itself. Everything else is just an elaborate distraction method. We do the same with alcohol, and it never seems to stop being successful.

xabi

They don't even use proper barista machines, press a button and that will be 4.50 please.

Collie D

average_runner wrote: »

My sandwich shop and coffee shop know my name, I better move on.

Oh, I get your point and I should have pre-empted it but those are places I assume you go to regularly. I've been to Starbucks three or four times in my life and never the same one twice so I don't expect or want the same level of familiarity as I would in my local pub or staff canteen.

The Moldy Gowl

ThinkProgress wrote: »

True.

But since coffee is a delivery vehicle for the most popular addictive drug in the world, it's also about constantly trying to keep people interested and engaged... so they keep consuming the drug and keep flocking back to their dealer for another fix!

They know most people don't like to see themselves as drug addicts, so they make the delivery method seem suave, sophisticated and trendy! Give it an exotic look and feel etc.

They promote everything about the product, except the drug itself. Everything else is just an elaborate distraction method. We do the same with alcohol, and it never seems to stop being successful.

I'm glad you have found enlightenment in this crazy world filled with sheeple

https://i.imgur.com/IVZU03y.gifv

debabyjesus

Stealthfins wrote: »

By far the best coffee shop in Ireland is Joe's in Lahinch.
Right on the corner there.

Thanks Joe. And fair play to you for trying every coffee shop in Ireland before you gave yourself that honour

wakka12

Alf Stewart. wrote: »

Meh. I just don't go in them as I'm not an "overly fond of coffee" kinda bloke, seems a bit offer priced too if you ask me.

I love beer.

Open more Wetherspoons, or other pubs with cheap booze!

Theres a few more supposed to open in Dublin city centre you'll be glad to hear

bodhrandude

Are you talking about the rain, please let it be the rain. How come we can't ask the weather directly when its going to stop, there must be a break where we get a rest from the wet,

languagenerd

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

If i walked through Paris and saw a starbucks instead of a local cafe id also be annoyed.

Paris has even more Starbucks branches than Dublin (or it did the last time I was there a couple years ago). They do this everywhere, as mentioned: flood the market to get a monopoly. I think the independent scene in Dublin is healthy enough at the moment though.

JupiterKid

Yes, there definitely does seem to be a lot of Starbucks popping up all over the city centre. I've also heard of Starbuck's business model of saturating an area to kill off competition.

But I generally avoid Starbucks because their coffee is horrible.

pickarooney

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't really have a problem with Starbucks, you get what you pay for. It's not really like other places make much effort to do better coffee, they just do their version of coffee. I don't think I've ever gone into an independent place and had a choice beyond Americano, Latte and cappuccino. I've never been given the option of Colombian, Ethiopian beans, etc.. for example.

At least they have some choices, I'm in France now and when i ask for an Americano I get a look that's not so much "what's an Americano?" but "Jaysus, just have an espresso like a normal person". I can't get a big cup of coffee for love nor money.

The independents need to up their game, just offering espresso based coffees and crying I'm an independent isn't good enough to get people over the convenience of the likes of Starbucks.

Ask for a café allongé if you want a big cup of coffee.
Americano is a beef and tomato sandwich.

Squeeonline

Freakenomics did a great episode on this. Though they used Mattress stores as the example but it applies to starbucks as well http://freakonomics.com/podcast/mattress-store-bubble/

riclad

I don,t go to coffee shops ,
i would not know what to order,
i think its a celtic tiger thing.
Every main street now has an american style coffee shop.
For every pub that closes 2 coffee shops appear overnight .
Young people know all about grande americano frappe etc like they all know how to use ipads ,mobile phone apps ,snapchat ,facebook etc
i go to a cafe and get tea and a roll .
Chain stores like starbucks have economys of scale that an indie shop cant compete with .

Boom_Bap

Deadly news for the bazillions of Starbucks drinkers though.

Cina

VonLuck wrote: »

There was a new coffee shop that opened in Rathmines maybe earlier this year, then a couple months later a Starbucks opened up literally just across the road. Needless to say they closed down shortly thereafter.

I always thought Rathmines needed two Starbucks.

I went into that place twice - their coffee was awful and so was the service, I don't think it's Starbucks that killed them. Quite a few coffee places in Rarthmines doing well even with the Starbucks there.

The second Starbucks is usually pretty quiet whenever I walk past. In fact the Insomnia across the road is usually busier (helps that it's a little cheaper, mind).

Anyway, Starbucks charge more money for their coffee than most other coffee shops in Ireland, which I find utterly bizarre. They're a coffee chain with 'meh' coffee in comparison to others. It'd be like McDonalds charging as much for a burger as a respected restaurant.

Cina

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't really have a problem with Starbucks, you get what you pay for. It's not really like other places make much effort to do better coffee, they just do their version of coffee. I don't think I've ever gone into an independent place and had a choice beyond Americano, Latte and cappuccino. I've never been given the option of Colombian, Ethiopian beans, etc.. for example.

You need to go to Butlers.

Sweet, frothy, coffee heaven. Mmmmmm.

tayto lover

When will it stop?

A bit like that silly Rose of Tralee rubbish.

Voodoomelon

ScumLord wrote: »

I don't really have a problem with Starbucks, you get what you pay for. It's not really like other places make much effort to do better coffee, they just do their version of coffee. I don't think I've ever gone into an independent place and had a choice beyond Americano, Latte and cappuccino. I've never been given the option of Colombian, Ethiopian beans, etc.. for example.

At least they have some choices, I'm in France now and when i ask for an Americano I get a look that's not so much "what's an Americano?" but "Jaysus, just have an espresso like a normal person". I can't get a big cup of coffee for love nor money.

The independents need to up their game, just offering espresso based coffees and crying I'm an independent isn't good enough to get people over the convenience of the likes of Starbucks.

Couldn't believe the same myself in France in June. Coffee over there is sh1te, and I mean everywhere. 7 cities and I think we had a single, alright coffee. The rest was p1ss.

wakka12

johnty56 wrote: »

One of starbucks business methods is to saturate an area with shops, to the point that independents cannot compete or function, and have to close down. Starbucks then close many of the stores they opened, and then have a monopoly in the area. They are Scum.

Ive never seen this happen anywhere, and once they close down the excess stores cant indie shops reopen again anyway. And also ,theyre not scum for making profits. They are only making profits because of the demand from the public, blame the public for drinking their coffee, if anything.