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OK, how to save Starbucks? As a person who can tell the difference between good coffee and bad coffe, but couldn't even guess between good coffee and great coffee, Starbucks is nothing to me. My right-wing, capitalist, Ayn Rand-ianism says - "Whatever - let it die." That also tells me, "what can they do to save themselves and why not toss in my two cents?" Firstly, the people have spoken - free Wi-Fi. Give these people a place to hang out and write the next Harry Potter. Most people aren't going to use it and those that do, not for too long. The J.K Rowling's who write a book? It's just like the gi-normous people who graze at the buffet - one loss to a hundred's gain. Get over it.

Get smaller. Local is good. Don't over-expand. Train the employees to make a freakin' latte-schmate. Charge a rasonable (read=comparable to local joints) for a plain cup of joe. In can ost more if it's a GOOD cup of joe. If it isn't, don't get all high-and-mighty.

Glögg can't be beat. I have a recipe for one I've perfected (I think) over years at Mel's Diner.

Mike

I Google'd the cached page to see the picture that was removed and I've seen that brand at a local Italian market. In my opinion, the problem with those and most other canned tomatoes is the addition of citric acid. If you cook those down, the acid becomes more and more pronounced, making the sauce bitter. I have written it many times before on sites like this - the best tomatoes are the ones that have NO CITRIC ACID! Make a sauce with the precious San Marzanos like the ones pictured and a the same sauce with a can of regular tomatoes with no citric acid and see the difference. Now, if you can get San Marzanos with no citric acid (like you used to), it's Heaven.

I'll just add one more. Look at the comments. The one's based on logic don't blame President Bush. The one's based on feelings do. What does that say? What does that say about the average American voter? Think about it, if you can.

Whoa, slow down there. McDonalds has the Big Mac, McDowells has the Big Mic, there's obviously big differences here. ;-) The ironic thing with using "Coming to America" as an example is that Paramount and Eddie were sued and lost to Art Buchwald because they stole the idea for the move from him.

I just got a set of shun knives and they are fantastic. They are comfortable and are the sharpest knives I have ever used. Cutting is a breeze. A great investment.

In case anyone who might benefit sees this, I agree with gmunger that I'm sad to see Mario, who has seen the joys of California produce, claim you can't get good San Marzano tomatoes in the US. I assure you that Mariquita and twosmallfarms dot com have fabulous San Marzanos for cooking- they suck for raw stuff, they are TOO low acid, but holy jeez cooked.. Love Apple Farms doesn't have it on their grow list this season- http://loveapplefarm.typepad.com/growbetterveggies/love-apple-farms-2008-tom.html but I bet Cynthia can tell you something good...

@ PerkyMac:

As far as I know, there isn't an All-Clad outlet store in Canonsburg, PA.

Though, you will be happy to know that the All-Clad manufacturing folks put on a fantastic "seconds sale" twice a year, usually in December and June, at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Here's the address:

2151 North Main Street
Washington PA USA 15301
(724) 225-3151

People come from far and wide (e.g. Canada) and I hear it's all madness and long lines. All-Clad doesn't appear to advertise the sale, so I plan to try calling the Fairgrounds' office closer to June to get the scoop on the 2008 sale date.

I haven't gone before, but I am certainly going this June.

I say most definately yes. These pans will last you and your childrens and your childrens childrens lifetime. As a former professional chef I think you can't get any better.

The bottom line is, it's just not very good coffee. I take strong exception to the commenter above who stated that it wasn't burnt, it was just a dark roast. I love a strong, dark roast - the stronger, the better. Starbucks' blends have a bitter, burnt taste to them. The fact that "plenty of people like it" is far from a ringing endorsement. Plenty of people like lots of things - doesn't mean any of them are any good.

Start by getting back to something novel: offering decent coffee at a fair price. You're a coffee shop. Get out of the friggin' music business and focus on your core.

Offer simple pastries that are fresh. You certainly charge top dollar for pastries that are - at times - stale and dry.

Two words: customer service. Your baristas are often misanthropes who think they are too good to be making my beverage because they should be working on their novel or something. And they're slow.

Clean your stores up. I know they all see a high volume in the mornings, but they shouldn't look like a tornado just blew through.

Free Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi.

I agree with the commenter above - a SB employee - who said that there should be nightly entertainment. What a terrific idea. Our local coffee shops do that, and they bring in customers around the clock, while fostering a feeling of community.

For those of you rooting against Starbucks in favor of the local shops, check out the recent article on Slate discussing the ameliorative effects on the mom-and-pop places when Starbucks moves in. Many local operators - fearful of Starbucks moving in down the street - found that their business actually increased.