America's Largest Cities Without A Downtown Starbucks

[I-10east]

Yeah, it's not that we want Starbucks DT, it's that they don't want to be DT.  Rejection stinks.

Starbucks kinda have that Walmart thing going, as many hate it. So it's not like everyone cares about Starbucks, like your typical hipster does. 

[Adam White]

Yeah, it's not that we want Starbucks DT, it's that they don't want to be DT.  Rejection stinks.

Starbucks kinda have that Walmart thing going, as many hate it. So it's not like everyone cares about Starbucks, like your typical hipster does.

Seriously - they have far too many customers worldwide to be solely patronized by hipsters. I'd argue most hipsters are far too "cool" to be seen in Starbucks anyway!

[NaldoAveKnight]

Sounds like an opportunity for Bold Bean?  +1 for Chamblin's.  I think most folks would rather have Jax standing out for the amount of support we give to independent businesses.  Not having a Starbucks in your downtown is a good thing.  It shows that you're cool and don't follow the herd.  There's been a lot of solid small businesses started here in the past 5 years.  Maybe Jax is the Portland of the east coast and we are off the radar?  Now that's as cool as it gets.

OMG I think you need to go to Portland.  San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland are probably the best coffee cities in America with the greatest concentration of independent roasters, as well as the best roasters.  The biggest chains (like Starbucks from Seattle or Peets from the Bay Area) just happen to also come from these areas, not surprisingly.  I can guarantee you that downtown Portland has no less than a dozen Starbucks/Peets, in addition to dozens of other coffee places.

My big question is are Jax residents/workers not big coffee drinkers?  And if not, how do people work?

And for the record, Seattle's best is like Folgers or Maxwell House.  LoL


Having a Starbucks downtown is like having a Gap in your mall.  It's a simply a sign that your downtown isn't on its death bed and still has workers who work.  Starbucks real estate department is like that of Target's or Whole Food's RE department.  They are quite sophisticated for a retail site selection department, and they usually get it right.

So...this isn't good at all that we are the largest city (in the developed/developing world?) without a Sbux downtown.

I meant Portland in terms of entrepreneurial spirit and original ideas.  The neighborhoods right next to downtown, San Marco, Riverside, Springfield all have had great independent businesses start up in the last 5 years.  Maybe the focus shouldn't be on downtown as a specific entity but rather all of the intown neighborhoods as a whole.  There's not really much in the way of housing downtown, therefore, there's not going to be many people living there.  There's a Starbucks and Taco Bell in Macclenny, is anyone suggesting that Macclenny is an economic and cultural powerhouse?

[Adam White]

Sounds like an opportunity for Bold Bean?  +1 for Chamblin's.  I think most folks would rather have Jax standing out for the amount of support we give to independent businesses.  Not having a Starbucks in your downtown is a good thing.  It shows that you're cool and don't follow the herd.  There's been a lot of solid small businesses started here in the past 5 years.  Maybe Jax is the Portland of the east coast and we are off the radar?  Now that's as cool as it gets.

OMG I think you need to go to Portland.  San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland are probably the best coffee cities in America with the greatest concentration of independent roasters, as well as the best roasters.  The biggest chains (like Starbucks from Seattle or Peets from the Bay Area) just happen to also come from these areas, not surprisingly.  I can guarantee you that downtown Portland has no less than a dozen Starbucks/Peets, in addition to dozens of other coffee places.

My big question is are Jax residents/workers not big coffee drinkers?  And if not, how do people work?

And for the record, Seattle's best is like Folgers or Maxwell House.  LoL


Having a Starbucks downtown is like having a Gap in your mall.  It's a simply a sign that your downtown isn't on its death bed and still has workers who work.  Starbucks real estate department is like that of Target's or Whole Food's RE department.  They are quite sophisticated for a retail site selection department, and they usually get it right.

So...this isn't good at all that we are the largest city (in the developed/developing world?) without a Sbux downtown.

I meant Portland in terms of entrepreneurial spirit and original ideas.  The neighborhoods right next to downtown, San Marco, Riverside, Springfield all have had great independent businesses start up in the last 5 years.  Maybe the focus shouldn't be on downtown as a specific entity but rather all of the intown neighborhoods as a whole.  There's not really much in the way of housing downtown, therefore, there's not going to be many people living there.  There's a Starbucks and Taco Bell in Macclenny, is anyone suggesting that Macclenny is an economic and cultural powerhouse?

But downtown should have office workers - more than it does. It's not just about residents. Few would argue we don't need to revitalize downtown and get more companies to move there. It's essential.

[simms3]

Sounds like an opportunity for Bold Bean?  +1 for Chamblin's.  I think most folks would rather have Jax standing out for the amount of support we give to independent businesses.  Not having a Starbucks in your downtown is a good thing.  It shows that you're cool and don't follow the herd.  There's been a lot of solid small businesses started here in the past 5 years.  Maybe Jax is the Portland of the east coast and we are off the radar?  Now that's as cool as it gets.

OMG I think you need to go to Portland.  San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland are probably the best coffee cities in America with the greatest concentration of independent roasters, as well as the best roasters.  The biggest chains (like Starbucks from Seattle or Peets from the Bay Area) just happen to also come from these areas, not surprisingly.  I can guarantee you that downtown Portland has no less than a dozen Starbucks/Peets, in addition to dozens of other coffee places.

My big question is are Jax residents/workers not big coffee drinkers?  And if not, how do people work?

And for the record, Seattle's best is like Folgers or Maxwell House.  LoL


Having a Starbucks downtown is like having a Gap in your mall.  It's a simply a sign that your downtown isn't on its death bed and still has workers who work.  Starbucks real estate department is like that of Target's or Whole Food's RE department.  They are quite sophisticated for a retail site selection department, and they usually get it right.

So...this isn't good at all that we are the largest city (in the developed/developing world?) without a Sbux downtown.

I meant Portland in terms of entrepreneurial spirit and original ideas.  The neighborhoods right next to downtown, San Marco, Riverside, Springfield all have had great independent businesses start up in the last 5 years.  Maybe the focus shouldn't be on downtown as a specific entity but rather all of the intown neighborhoods as a whole.  There's not really much in the way of housing downtown, therefore, there's not going to be many people living there.  There's a Starbucks and Taco Bell in Macclenny, is anyone suggesting that Macclenny is an economic and cultural powerhouse?

I don't know what point you're  trying to make and you do sound like a typical Jax resident who hasn't [yet] gotten out of the city/region much, but you definitely just proved our point!  See emboldened sentence above.

In checking out the largest coffee-focused chains in the world:

1. Starbucks (which is not the best, but better than Maxwell House of course) - Seattle
2. Costa - London
3. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - Los Angeles
4. Gloria Jeans (awful stuff) - Chicago/Australia
5. Caribou Coffee - Minnesota
6. Tim Hortons - Canada
7. Coffee Beanery (never heard o it) - MI
8. Peets - San Francisco
9. Tully's - Seattle

In terms of the perceived most popular "independent roaster" brands in the US, you have Blue Bottle from SF and Stumptown from Portland, both of which have received several rounds of funding to open up more locations and become larger (I would hardly call either "independent roasters" any more, but they aren't bad).

The W Coast clearly dominates as a coffee region.  The best and biggest chains come from the W Coast.  And the "best" and most popular "independent roasters" also come from the W Coast.  This notion that these places don't drink Starbucks in favor of the next mom and pop is partially true, but I'd say people on the W Coast are just hyper hyper caffeinated workaholics.  So again, my question, without Starbucks OR mom and pops, where the hell do downtown Jax workers get their coffee?!?!?!?!?  Like WTF how is it possible that there are maybe 3 options downtown and they serve stuff like Seattle's Best or Maxwell House?

I "meet people for coffee" all the time, moreso than I meet for lunch or drinks after work since I don't have time for the latter two and neither do others.  How are people downtown meeting each other up?  What's the differentiator between working downtown and working in a suburban office park if you must drive to get a Starbucks in either?  Like Seriously??  This is actually a huggggeeeeeee problem.  The whole point of a downtown is forced, quick social/networking/business contact in a touch and go down-the-elevator-and-walk environment.

[Lunican]

Maybe people in Jax work normal hours, get plenty of rest, and don't need coffee?

[Adam White]

In checking out the largest coffee-focused chains in the world:

1. Starbucks (which is not the best, but better than Maxwell House of course) - Seattle
2. Costa - London
3. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - Los Angeles
4. Gloria Jeans (awful stuff) - Chicago/Australia
5. Caribou Coffee - Minnesota
6. Tim Hortons - Canada
7. Coffee Beanery (never heard o it) - MI
8. Peets - San Francisco
9. Tully's - Seattle

I think that list is missing Caffe Nero, which has over 700 locations worldwide.

[simms3]

Maybe people in Jax work normal hours, get plenty of rest, and don't need coffee?

Silly statement, frankly.  Lots of people need coffee just to get out of bed and find motivation to start the day.  It's not always about working investment banking hours.

Do they also not "catch up over a coffee"?  Coffee is to the business community as cigarettes are to construction workers.  It's just as social as it is important to getting the job done and getting through the day.  Where is the "let's grab a coffee" place downtown?  Where do people conduct casual interviews, or escape the office for a few minutes, or catch up before work with peers, or grab an afternoon pick me up?

[ProjectMaximus]

Jacksonville is the largest city by population in Florida, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. Thus, it wins this competition hands down.

Ennis, why did you include this?? Your ranking is compiled by metro area. Seems a bit deceptive to imply that we're bigger than any other "city" in FL yet we don't have a starbucks downtown.

[Lunican]

Maybe people in Jax work normal hours, get plenty of rest, and don't need coffee?

Silly statement, frankly.  Lots of people need coffee just to get out of bed and find motivation to start the day.  It's not always about working investment banking hours.

Do they also not "catch up over a coffee"?  Coffee is to the business community as cigarettes are to construction workers.  It's just as social as it is important to getting the job done and getting through the day.  Where is the "let's grab a coffee" place downtown?  Where do people conduct casual interviews, or escape the office for a few minutes, or catch up before work with peers, or grab an afternoon pick me up?

Well, this was a bit tongue-in-cheek. I know there is a coffee place in the Ed Ball Building. I do hear of people going through a drive through on their way to work downtown. Maybe that is pretty common?

But I don't do any of the things you listed surrounding coffee.

[vicupstate]

I can't believe no one is looking at the bigger picture here. Once Nordstrom opens Downtown,no one will even notice there is no Starbucks.

Starbucks is overrated, but the fact that they couldn't even make a go of it with free rent speaks volumes.  But it doesn't say anything that we didn't already know.

[thelakelander]

Jacksonville is the largest city by population in Florida, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. Thus, it wins this competition hands down.

Ennis, why did you include this?? Your ranking is compiled by metro area. Seems a bit deceptive to imply that we're bigger than any other "city" in FL yet we don't have a starbucks downtown.

If I did the list by city, it would make Jax look a lot worse, due to consolidation. Nevertheless, I felt that statement was a fact worth mentioning.

[NaldoAveKnight]

Sounds like an opportunity for Bold Bean?  +1 for Chamblin's.  I think most folks would rather have Jax standing out for the amount of support we give to independent businesses.  Not having a Starbucks in your downtown is a good thing.  It shows that you're cool and don't follow the herd.  There's been a lot of solid small businesses started here in the past 5 years.  Maybe Jax is the Portland of the east coast and we are off the radar?  Now that's as cool as it gets.

OMG I think you need to go to Portland.  San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland are probably the best coffee cities in America with the greatest concentration of independent roasters, as well as the best roasters.  The biggest chains (like Starbucks from Seattle or Peets from the Bay Area) just happen to also come from these areas, not surprisingly.  I can guarantee you that downtown Portland has no less than a dozen Starbucks/Peets, in addition to dozens of other coffee places.

My big question is are Jax residents/workers not big coffee drinkers?  And if not, how do people work?

And for the record, Seattle's best is like Folgers or Maxwell House.  LoL


Having a Starbucks downtown is like having a Gap in your mall.  It's a simply a sign that your downtown isn't on its death bed and still has workers who work.  Starbucks real estate department is like that of Target's or Whole Food's RE department.  They are quite sophisticated for a retail site selection department, and they usually get it right.

So...this isn't good at all that we are the largest city (in the developed/developing world?) without a Sbux downtown.

I meant Portland in terms of entrepreneurial spirit and original ideas.  The neighborhoods right next to downtown, San Marco, Riverside, Springfield all have had great independent businesses start up in the last 5 years.  Maybe the focus shouldn't be on downtown as a specific entity but rather all of the intown neighborhoods as a whole.  There's not really much in the way of housing downtown, therefore, there's not going to be many people living there.  There's a Starbucks and Taco Bell in Macclenny, is anyone suggesting that Macclenny is an economic and cultural powerhouse?

I don't know what point you're  trying to make and you do sound like a typical Jax resident who hasn't [yet] gotten out of the city/region much, but you definitely just proved our point!  See emboldened sentence above.

Dude, I own a house in San Marco and travel/live all over the country.  Last year I lived for 3 months in Seattle and right now I'm in New Mexico.  Before that I split time between New England/California/Jacksonville.  I'll be coming back to Jax in a few months and happy to be there.  I know several folks that do the same thing.  They have a base in Jax even though they could live anywhere.

The vibe I get from Jax is very unique and very cool, once you scratch beneath the surface.  The surface is Taco Bells, Starbucks, malls, and that homogenized culture that exists almost everywhere.  If anyone is thinking the worth of a city is measured by homogenized culture then maybe the downtown and the intown neighborhoods of Jax are not for them.  Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonalds.  Every time I goto Vermont a local brags about it.  It's a badge of honor.  Let's take up that same philosophy for Starbucks in our downtown.  Screw Starbucks and homogenized culture. 

[thelakelander]

I work in DT a few days each week. We have a coffee machine in the office. That's where my daily cup comes from.

[rylo]

I'm a bit surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but Urban Grind is downtown on Bay street next to Regions across from the Wells Fargo. They started at the little kiosk in the BoA building.