  Sparty Member Username: Sparty Post Number: 205 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 68.62.2.64 |
will things pop because another starbucks is here? or can we expect more of the same. I feel like things aren't coming together like they should. since the super bowl there's still a lot of vacant storefronts on woodward. what can we expect from the city in the next year? | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4177 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
Any national chain inversting in such disinvested/underserved markets is a good thing, but I think it's dangerous and ridiculous to start judging the health of success of a city on how many Starbucks they have (or don't have, in this case). Detroit needs to do what it's currently doing, and that's simply attracting quality retail wherever it can, regardless of whether it is a local business or a national chain. | ||
Thejesus Member Username: Thejesus Post Number: 236 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 68.62.6.138 |
the presence of starbcks alone won't do much...but with new lofts such as the Ellington opening all over the place, people from the burbs are starting to move downtown and to midtown, and with businesses to serve them, it will start to inject some much-needed cash in the city over the next 5-7 years... I think another starbucks is going to open at the Book-Cadillac when it's finished, along with a national chain steak house among other things...these businesses are needed to keep money of people living downtown from going into the burbs | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 113 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
For petes sake people its just a coffee place! Don't put too much into *$ opening as these are there just responding to demand. You should focus on why *$ is finding Detroit a better place to do business. A coffee place will not make a break Detroit. | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 2044 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 69.221.36.81 |
Lmich said it right. Although midtown (i.e. the new Mack and Woodward location) is where I don't mind tons of coffeeshops and a few more chain stores. There's a lot going on there--major institutions, attractions, and new residents, yet Woodward never appears too bustling through midtown. Sure the street is big and not intimate like Cass or other side streets, but I'd like to see as many pedestrians on Woodward as you see downtown. I think making Woodward a focal point for restaurants, shopping, and coffee, even if its aimed at the new residents and yuppies/students, is a good thing. | ||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 4844 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 141.217.174.229 |
Starbucks are good when serve better coffee, but it's bad when it comes to location every 2 miles. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 715 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.246.10.173 |
Let's be logical... as said before sbux is not the end all be all | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1163 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
<--------- Starbucks addict.  | ||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 208 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 67.149.141.170 |
I personally see a lot of chains as money vacuumes (other than the money paid to the low paying coffee jobs, all of the profits are sent to Seattle or wherever), but people want coffee, and to a lot of people seeing such a place means that it's not so bad afterall. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1368 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225 |
Back in the late 90's a young couple borrowed and put their life savings into a small coffee shop in the Marquette Building on Congress at Wash. Blvd. It took them a good year to get things underway, but they were friendly folks, worked hard, expanded their coffee business with bagels, fruit, etc. Quite a quaint little shop. We all loved it. Then Starbucks came to town, specifically into the Buhl Building where the old NBD branch had been located. I think the small Marquette Bldg. coffee shop closed within the year. | ||
Douglasm Member Username: Douglasm Post Number: 629 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.189.188.28 |
The problem I have with Starbucks is that they have no "soul" in the idea that a locally owned coffee house has a feel for the community it's in. "Just what Leavenworth needs, another f&#*ing chain store." was the reaction of the owner of the Tyrol Hotel in Leavenworth, WA when a Starbucks moved into the tourist town. We've got 4 in Wenatchee, plus 2 Safeway kiosks, and their "feeling" is artificial, their soul is that of a cabbage...... | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 7760 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.2.148.18 |
The one benefit is as silly as it seems some companies use the number of starbucks in an area as one of many indicators of whether it is a viable area to look at. Sounds silly and is probably the last thing they look at but it is considered. Besides that, no big deal. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1073 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Companies like Starbucks opening more locations in the city, the Book-Cadillac being done, Book Building being bought form out of state investors, and then having their headquarters being moved to Detroit from NYC is a sign that outsiders are taking notice of what we have all been seeing for the past few years, Detroit is slowly making its way back. The next piece of the puzzle needs to be the schools. Without fixing DPS, the neighborhoods will continue to lose families to the suburbs in search of better schools. | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 654 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 69.136.147.97 |
I don't know if the neighborhoods are a big focus for the folks on the top. Seems like they're just interested in getting downtown to flourish, although after a month the street lights on Forest have been turned back on! | ||
L_b_patterson Member Username: L_b_patterson Post Number: 307 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.255.228.125 |
i wish i could find the report, but it basically states, ascending property values and starbucks have a direct coorelation. Whether which one comes first..... | ||
Qweek Member Username: Qweek Post Number: 24 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 4.229.33.195 |
Would an Apple Store be welcome downtown? | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1173 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Starbucks is good for Detroit. I don't know the demographics but I would assume that those that patronize Starbucks may have a few extra bucks to spend in the neighboring shops. Disposable income ... | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1174 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Apple Store would be cool, too! | ||
Qweek Member Username: Qweek Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 4.229.33.195 |
Chicago Apple store very nice. http://www.apple.com/retail/no rthmichiganavenue/week/2006081 3.html | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 42 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 68.42.78.175 |
I’ve always thought a Radio Shack would be great downtown. Unfortunately most small businesses can’t afford the insurance in Detroit. The state should develop some sort of insurance pool (similar to the high risk auto insurance pool) to provide reasonably priced insurance to businesses in Detroit and other high risk communities. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1370 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225 |
There used to be a Radio Shack on Woodward just above Michigan Ave. next to the First Federal Building. It only lasted a few years as I recall, maybe back in the late 80's. You were given a Radio Shack battery card, punched each time you bought batteries, and when the card was punched 10 or so times, you got a new card and a free battery with your next purchase. | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 731 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 69.246.1.166 |
There's still the Radio Shack on Woodward, and Warren. The thing about that one is, they don't carry TVs or stereo equipment. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4187 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
The Rock, I haven't been to the coffee shop you posted about, but according to the site for the Marquette Building, it's still going: http://www.400monroe.com/Prope rties/Marquette/Default.aspx | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1147 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
Well Starbucks is helping out a bit in the Detroit community by dontating $50 for every stoeln base by the Tigers this year to the Detroit Tigers Foundation, of which many dollars are used for programs inside city limits. | ||
Erikd Member Username: Erikd Post Number: 703 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.242.214.106 |
I'm not sure what coffee shop The Rock was posting about, but the Blend has been in the Marquette Building for quite awhile, and they opened a new location in the Compuware building a few years ago. | ||
Thecarl Member Username: Thecarl Post Number: 941 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.14.30.175 |
good! because... a company with such an incredible and repeatable model for success would target detroit... and, while it may create competition for local java merchants...it also creates a "landing pad" for those who venture into detroit and are unfamiliar with the area. "hey, there's a starbuck's. let get a half-caff double laffy taffy cappacino, then walk around." having a well-known establishment in a destination city is a big benefit to that town. | ||
Erikd Member Username: Erikd Post Number: 704 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.242.214.106 |
Sparty, What makes you say that? The recent progress of Detroit development is far better than most people thought it would be. We are 6 montths past the Superbowl, and the big post-Superbowl decline that was predicted by many people hasn't happened. In fact, the opposite has happened. Over the last few months (after SBXL), all three permanent casinos started construction, the Book Cadillac project secured financing and started construction, the new DDOT terminal started construction, the expansion of the Riverwalk has continued, the restoration of the National Theatre has taken off, the Cadillac Square park space has started construction, the complete renovation of a few smaller buildings on Monroe and Brush has started, work on the Vinton, Ellington, and many other projects started before the Superbowl are nearing completion, and the pre-constuction progress of future projects like the Broderick Tower, Book Building, and riverfront condos has moved forward. Looking at this post-Superbowl progress, I can't understand why anyone would say that "things aren't coming together like they should." | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1185 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Maybe Sparty can give some examples of what things aren't coming together. Sparty? | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1371 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225 |
the Blend is the current coffee shop, but the one I described preceeded the Blend. I don't recall the name of the place. Unfortunately, it was a question of here today and gone tomorrow, but I saw a direct link between its departure and Starbuck's arrival. | ||
Dillpicklesoup Member Username: Dillpicklesoup Post Number: 159 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 64.7.187.52 |
fyi starbucks sets up shop in up and coming areas only- so if the D is getting a starbucks- there may be hope after all- they do their market studies- | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 162 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 68.40.65.66 |
the D already has 3 other Starbucks...at Congress/Griswold in the Buhl building serving the CBD (it closes pretty early). A nice little drivethrough one on Jefferson, I think it has a drive through. And the RenCen (but its hardly an actual starbucks, sorta like an airport starbucks)...but this one is open pretty late which, if based on market studies is a great sign | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 41 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.95.233.22 |
The D already has 3 other starbucks. That's is amazingly few for a city of 900,000 people. I think the more coffee shops in the city, the better the city looks. It will help Detroit's image to have more cool looking places in the city | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 530 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 69.246.29.185 |
We have 5 others you forgot about the one in the Millender Center and at Wayne State. Still, not many for a city of our size. | ||
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026 Post Number: 1165 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.231.189.137 |
Right. 10 in Ann Arbor 6 in Detroit 6 at DTW | ||
Diggelicious Member Username: Diggelicious Post Number: 51 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 68.42.170.104 |
i frequent beans and bytes and went to starbucks tonite... while i personally enjoyed it, still b&b is my coffee shop. but what i had noticed was students/etc. that usually don't leave the medical campus due to a supposed "fear" were in numbers at the starbucks. just like itsjeff said, its a good destination point for uncomfortable visitors. however stupid that is, it allows people to at least leave their cars and possibly walk around detroit. | ||
Mani Member Username: Mani Post Number: 113 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 68.60.182.26 |
it is corporate coffee and it would be nice to see independent owned coffee houses sprout up in detroit, but not sure how likely that would be. i recently read in the new york times that starbucks offers health benefits for part-time staff and subsequently their turnover rate has dropped. they are also enviromentally concerned and active, so these are two very good things that make this corporate coffee a bonus for detroit. | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 163 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 68.40.65.66 |
Im personally a fan of Amsterdam espresso...but it closes earlier, however Starbucks was cool when I went today | ||
Naturalsister Member Username: Naturalsister Post Number: 790 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.30.255.8 |
Lmichigan, Bob, and Hysteria all hit the nail on the head. This has its benefits. All pros, no cons. There was a Radio Shack in the Ren Cen, which left when GM kicked out several other national chains. Dunkin Donuts for instance. I don't know the details, but many left at the same time. It seemed to be a sweep by the Ren Cen retail manager - Hines. I welcome any new business and I will do my part to add to their numbers. The more the merrier. later-naturalsister | ||
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap Post Number: 542 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 70.229.231.102 |
Using the example of the pioneer coffee shop in the Marquette Building was very thoughtful for me. I stopped going in there as soon as Starbucks opened precisely because Starbucks wasn't so "friendly." I just want to get in and get out. The pioneer coffee shop dwadled and chatted and punched cards that people had to search for in pockets and handbags. So I tapped my foot impatiently once and got an evil stare from the help. But I don't get mad, I get even. Off to Starbucks for good! I remember that I was once going to support my independant neighborhood movie rental store when Blockbuster came in - but no, I wandered over to Blockbuster. And now, for even better service and selection, it's Netflix for me. I seem to have lost my standards. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1079 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
I personally like the coffee chain Beaners, which opened its first location in East Lansing, is headquartered in Lansing, and has started opening chains in the suburbs. They are a Michigan company that would be perfect for downtown. | ||
Naturalsister Member Username: Naturalsister Post Number: 796 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.73.198.214 |
Well Bob, Tell them to get their asses down here!!!! later - naturalsister | ||
Miketoronto Member Username: Miketoronto Post Number: 271 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 65.95.235.124 |
What makes Detroit Detroit is the unique places only found in Detroit. Yes you want some national chains. But don't go overboard, because then there is no use going into Detroit if everything is the same as the power centres out in the burbs. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1080 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
I always use Chicago as a great example of the right balance of chains and unique places. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 1687 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.100.158.10 |
I think that's a little simplistic. Everything has its opportunity cost. In this case, if you don't like your coffee burnt, then Starbucks pretty much sucks. No doubt, they have the muscle to single-handedly stymie other (read: independent) coffee shops from opening downtown. | ||
Wkl Member Username: Wkl Post Number: 81 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 204.180.211.40 |
Come on, everyone knows Starbucks is part of Dr. Evil's plan to take over the world. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 763 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.139 |
Anyone who wants to pay five, six bucks for a lousy cup of coffee proves Mr. Barnum right once again. | ||
Hysteria Member Username: Hysteria Post Number: 1202 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Maybe you're not ordering the right beverage.  | ||
Gumby Member Username: Gumby Post Number: 1356 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.60.143.186 |
Shit, when I was in Chicago I saw Starbucks across the street from Starbucks. | ||
Shave Member Username: Shave Post Number: 1217 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
"The next piece of the puzzle needs to be the schools. Without fixing DPS, the neighborhoods will continue to lose families to the suburbs in search of better schools." When you take the best and the brightest out of the school system, then you are left with a struggling school system. The health of DPS begins with responsible parents willing to turn over the education of their children to DPS. If you have enough concerned parents that push their children towards greatness as well as goals, then you will see remarkable changes in DPS. Problem now as it stands is that hardly any of the parents that can make a difference in DPS actually care to have their children educated in DPS. Until parents pull together and hold the school system accountable (rather than running for greener pastures), then DPS cannot rise to greatness. You can't expect for children with a history of underachieving that's compounded with social and economic ills to produce the results necessary for a healthy school district. At this point, DPS has gone too far downhill to simply rely on the school board, the administrators, and the current student population to fix by themselves. DPS needs talented, intelligent, and driven students along with devoted and caring parents. Together, such students and parents will produce the results that will force the administrators and school board to be held accountable. Bottom line (and the unfortunate part) is that people are expecting too much while giving little to no support. | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1776 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.209.177.31 |
Well said, Shave. Well said. (Message edited by royce on August 23, 2006) | ||
Super_d Member Username: Super_d Post Number: 980 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 69.212.40.93 |
Hi 'Shave' Royce__ she has her moments from time to time. super d(motordetroit) | ||
Heywood_mccrakin Member Username: Heywood_mccrakin Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 68.255.163.26 |
You guys are redonkulous. Now i know why HFDers make fun of people like Danny, royce and sporty. Chain stores ruining the integrity of Detroit? Feel lucky that anyone who has heard of our national reputation and still wants to spend their dollars to do business here. | ||
Heywood_mccrakin Member Username: Heywood_mccrakin Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 68.255.163.26 |
Hey Shave, read your rant on the schools. You are completely incorrect. Charter schools are the only answer for Detroit schools. If people have a choice of which school to send their kids, there will be more opportunities for Detroit kids than you could imagine. The free market, without the benign government intervention is the only thing that can save the DPS. If the DPS has competition for tax dollars, then they will have to get better or die. Without competiton, they can go ahead and be lazy as they are now. AND DON'T ANYONE CHIME IN TELLING ME HOW HARD DPS IS WORKING. IT IS A FAILURE....AND THIS IS WHY PEOPLE WHO ARE FINANCIALLY ABLE TO WILL ALWAYS CHOSE THE SUBURBS (WHITE OR BLACK). ESCAPING DPS SCHOOLS IS A PRIORITY. | ||
Illwill Member Username: Illwill Post Number: 75 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.167.200.210 |
Chicago has 96...but they probably have twice as many locally owned coffee and tea shops thru-out the city. | ||
Cafe Member Username: Cafe Post Number: 1353 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 84.162.24.127 |
Chicago has some of the best coffee on the planet. Intelligentsia is roasted there and supplies many of the independant shops with their own special blends. They are the people who supplied us with our Motor City Blend and with our other coffees. They are costy, but oh so good. Having starbucks come into Detroit will only spike the curiosity of other businesses, both small and national. If you don't want to get a fancy, milky, frothy, sweetie (HE HE) drink, than order an Americano, which is espresso and hot water. They are fantastic. It is a rich cup of coffee and usually isn't more that $2.50 for a big one. If that drink tastes bad, then the coffee shop is not worth your time. At least, that is my qualifier, take it for what you will. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1081 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
Cafe, I have been to Intelligentsia in Chicago and another coffee shop just north of Wrigley Field (can't remember the name), and loved those. Glad you brought them up. | ||
Border5150 Member Username: Border5150 Post Number: 166 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 207.232.204.254 |
For all the "evil empire" talk, I gotta give Starbucks credit - they are the only major "chain" business that provides full health benefits to their part-time employees. | ||
Messykitty Member Username: Messykitty Post Number: 84 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.21.198.33 |
Are we still talking about this? I honestly do not see how any legitimate business setting up shop in Detroit could even be perceived as a negative thing. Of course, some old-school Detroiters don't want new transplants from the suburbs coming in and mucking up all the hard work they've done for over thirty years. | ||
Shave Member Username: Shave Post Number: 1219 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Thanks Royce. I love you, too Super_d! | ||
Illwill Member Username: Illwill Post Number: 77 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.167.200.210 |
The Urban Tea Leaf in Chicago's Uptown/Edgewater Neighborhood is another great place to go. | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 48 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.95.232.185 |
The reason Chicago has this abundence of good coffee places is because they have done a good job of attracting a creative class. The reason for Detroit's lack of independent coffee shops is because of its poor stategy for attracting a creative class. Practically every city in the rust belt (Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Cleveland, etc...)except for Detroit. Detroit needs to solve bigger problems first, then the city can have as many upscale coffee places as it wants | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4224 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.177.81.18 |
For someone that asks so many questions, you sure do know alot about Detroit, huh? | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 49 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 69.95.233.245 |
I don't know a ton about the city's neighborhood's but I feel that I know a little about the state of the city | ||
Firefly Member Username: Firefly Post Number: 65 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 198.30.81.2 |
Milwaukee, Don't worry about what anyone says to you on this forum. Detroiters are a bunch of freaks who are in denial about the true state of their city. Their city is in shambles. When people on the outside are trying desperately to clue these freaks in on this FACT, from our untainted perspective, they blow a fucking fuse. (Message edited by Firefly on August 24, 2006) |
