The End of the Universe Caused by Starbucks?
Comedian Lewis Black has a funny take on the end of the world, which has says he has seen. The cause? A Starbucks across the street from a Starbucks.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9iMgSNrwv4[/youtube]
I’ve been to such a place in Vancouver. There I was, on one corner of an intersection about to enter a Starbucks and across the street was another Starbucks.
Of course Lewis Black is not alone in making fun of Starbucks. The excellent mockumentary Best in Show also takes a turn talking about Starbucks:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQKdEdzHnfU [/youtube]
The Simpson’s have also shown Starbucks taking over the Springfield Mall while South Park had a similar gag with a “Harbuck’s” running the local coffee shop out of business.
And don’t forget the second Austin Powers movie, where they explain that Dr. Evil’s empire has been financed by his early investment in Starbucks. I think the Space Needle even had a Starbucks banner on it in that movie. And the big meeting where they introduce Mini Me, there are barristas in the background making coffee drinks. I think I have to watch that again.
trivia question: What was is the origin for the name “Starbuck?” No fair wikipedia’ing it. Call me Ishmael.
Isn’t that the guy sharpening his harpoon in the song by Mountain?
Or was the song by Mehlville?
Cannibalization is a problem as the stock has gone from 40 to 20 in the last year. However, the 15,000-plus shops are being expanded to include Bulgaria, Portugal and even nationwide TV next year. It is also coming soon to an automated machine-kiosk near you…perhaps at the Arch, Lambert or BPV. Still mad about that lack of sidewalk, suburban parking lot, heh? The worst nightmare begins when the company hooks up with MoDOT & Metro…
When doing a search on Starbuck’s site for locations near the 63119 zip code, I eyeballed the map showing its stores, and guessed that within a two-mile radius of the I-64/170 intersection, there were ten stores. Ten. This isn’t including the independent chains, or the Paneras, so not only do I wonder why Starbucks shoots itself in the foot by placing franchises so close to one another…but is there really that much of a need for coffee in such a small area?
Lewis Black also says of Atlanta “when are you fuckers going to say no more fuckers can live here.” He almost suggests a greenbelt.