Friday, July 17, 2009

Think Local, Pay Starbucks

Transformers is not only the summer's biggest hit (so far): It's also Starbucks' new business strategy.

Much like sports cars that are secretly giant, imposing robots, that new "neighborhood" coffee joint may secretly be a Starbucks.

A Seattle Starbucks is renovating to become "15th Avenue Coffee And Tea," hoping to capture a sense of community and local flavor with a name change and some funky new couches.

Local coffee shops say Starbucks is ripping off their mojo. (Starbucks officials literally visited popular locally-owneds in the area and took notes.)

We're guessing we can tell the difference -- we can smell the corporate stench of desperation from here.

Hat tip: Dave Awl!

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