Why two starbucks on Fairview? (Lexington: university, live, shops)

[MNNative]

Originally Posted by ozzie679

It was called Cabin Creek Coffee. They closed a couple years after Caribou took over that Italian fast food place that was also in front of Crossroads. I felt bad for Cabin Creek. Caribou's drive thru is rarely less that 5 cars deep all day, and there is another Caribou, about 50 yards away, inside Crossroads.

I predicted that was going to happen once we saw Caribou was coming in. That's a bummer. Those big companies are hard to compete with I guess.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by MNNative

I predicted that was going to happen once we saw Caribou was coming in. That's a bummer. Those big companies are hard to compete with I guess.

Tell me about it. I bang heads with "the bigs" every day. But we can beat them if given the chance.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by Slig

That is part of their business plan. Starbucks is repeatedly guilty for cannibalizing their own sales to prevent competitors from entering the area.

It's about keeping (or increasing) their market share and keeping competitors out. The other possibility is that the older one will be one of the 600 stores that Starbucks is closing nationally.

[talktobrent]

the original one north of 36 had to be one of the higher grossing stores in the twin cities. It always looked busy to me, especially their drive thru. like other posters noted, the bean counters probably figured it was only a matter of time before a competitor sneaks in to take the 50% who don't want to wait in line.

[icewater]

I keep hearing how these $5 coffees will die off because of the high gas prices as people realize how frivilous it is. Bottled water too. Hopefully the sobriety and thriftiness of those alive during the Great Depression will return. Why not live within one's means? Shameful excess without consequence. At least the chickens are coming home to roost.

But about these coffee shops, it makes some sense to position one as a buffer against any competition. Plus, there must be enough traffic going the opposite way to warrant another store. Still, the 600 Starbux that will be closed is a sign of the times.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by icewater

Hopefully the sobriety and thriftiness of those alive during the Great Depression will return. Why not live within one's means? Shameful excess without consequence. At least the chickens are coming home to roost.

What Please explain how the recession is a good thing?

[icewater]

I didn't quite mean the recession is a good thing, since it's thrown many people's lives into turmoil. But, I think for a long time many have lived beyond their means, as if they're entitled to the economy being strong and there to not be any risk of housing/lending/oil crises. I think that the chickens coming home to roost would mean that gambles are just that- gambles, and they don't always work out. Often they do, but there must be accountability. It's survival of the fittest, and why should those with forethought bat an eye at strife that, history shows, is cyclical. There will be great times ahead, and seeing this will take the sting out of a 30 cent increase in gas. As the ancient saying goes "you shouldn't keep all your eggs in one basket". And for those of us who have not incurred debt as if it's a birthright immune to risk, well, I feel vindication. It's unfortunate, but the thriftiness and sobriety (not literally) of the past is akin to keeping oneself in check and living simply while the hedonists believe the party never ends. Certainly there's something to be said for attempting the american dream, but tempering it with realism seems to be a wet--blanket on the party. It's difficult with the onslaught of images and must-haves, but in reality this is window dressing. The world is simple and the keys to happiness have nothing to do with this stuff. You don't really need that 3rd jet ski, but purchasing it means you agree to pay for it....NOT gamble to keep a job or that the car won't break down or that nothing will change so that you can pay for it. The extreme end of this is PAY IN CASH ONLY, but that's not especially realistic. But having that approach would head off alot of bs impulse purchases or over-your-head purchases. The day after Thanksgiving is known in some circles as Buy Nothing Day. I usually fail at this, but just that the sentiment is out there is a step in the right direction. Check out a website with "the 100 thing challenge" I think it's David Michael Bruno It details this man's purging of stuff and what obstacles he encounters. Good luck in taking on the evil coffee empire. Their cookie cutterness is compromising their brand and hopefully the little guys will stick around. I heard something about successful coffee stands in Montana......

[jch123]

As a former employee, I can say that the Starbucks store to the north of 36 was one of the busiest locations in the region, (probably due to the surrounding colleges and nearby mall). We had the longest hours and busiest drive through and lobby, often running out of seating or lining up cars into the street. Our staff and size could only accommodate so many customers, so I believe they opened the store across the highway to lighten the load a bit.

[krillbee]

Originally Posted by Globe199

The shop just south of Hwy 36 opened very recently. The one in Fairdale (north of 36) has been around 10+ years. I doubt if they're more than a quarter mile apart. In fact, I bet you could almost see them from one another.

I agree with Slig; it must be to keep competitors out. But it has to be costly, and I'd imagine one of those stores will close.

I live right by this area and I wondered about this as well. This is the closest I think that I've seen any chain next to another chain.

Wait, actually there is a Caribou inside of Byerlys at County Rd C and Snelling and there is another one across the street from there. That one is even funnier

[Robert98]

I know of another one. Shady Oak Road in Eden Prairie. There are two Caribou coffee places within 1/2 block of each other. One has a drive through. The other shares a building with a bagel shop.