i heard the old ricks building will be a starbucks. any truth to this?
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Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, or should I say different news, but the old Ricks building, according to the employees at the new Ricks said that a Medial office is going in there. It's going to be one of those Patient Care facilities like Patient First, Doc in the Box etc.
Hang in there though there is still that vacant space beside Hibbits and BAM but I keep hoping that will be a Firehouse Subs.
It's funny how the Shoals area has been clamoring for years for a single Starbucks, while most towns that have one or more just complain about the burnt, overpriced coffee. I enjoy coffee, period - whether it be fancy or simple. I've had some good cups from Starbucks, and some bad ones. There are some great local shops in Florence that hopefully people take advantage of. I realize that none of these have quick "drive-thru" service though.
While I do think it's time a S'bucks finally builds somewhere in that area (since most other well-known chains are there), hopefully the Panera going up in front of the new Publix will satisfy most people's urge for lattes and quick, semi-fancy cups of coffee. Their coffee isn't at all bad.
I also agree about Firehouse. Great sandwiches. I thought it might work in that same shopping center, or close to Five Guys on Florence Blvd.
Firehouse would be a great addition. With Subway having such a terrible location behind the mall, a Firehouse could do very well with an accessible location.
It's ridiculous that The Shoals doesn't have at least one Starbucks on each side of the river. I still don't understand what they put in the coffee that makes it addicting--to the tune of $7 a day--for many customers. Since McDonalds came up with their $40K coffee machine, their profits are out of the roof--many of which are Starbucks' type customers. McDonalds is a traffic jam @ mid afternoon. If Starbucks hasn't come here already, I wouldn't look for them to enter this dynamic food market.
If you're really desperate for Starbucks...ECM has one.
Starbucks average first time customer makes $80,000 a year. http://shares.telegraph.co.uk/...hive=1&epic=SBUX The median income in the Shoals is $52,000 per family. The per capita income is $21,500. The area does not fit their normal demographic.
There are few businesses that are as wildly overrated as Starbuck's. They have succeeded in developing a cult following, but their coffee is still overpriced. Save what some folks would spend for a few months of Starbuck's and buy a good espresso machine and sensibly-priced coffee of good quality. Then you can conveniently make coffee have at home as good as or better than Star(wants your)bucks.
Originally Posted by Contendah:
There are few businesses that are as wildly overrated as Starbuck's. They have succeeded in developing a cult following, but their coffee is still overpriced. Save what some folks would spend for a few months of Starbuck's and buy a good espresso machine and sensibly-priced coffee of good quality. Then you can conveniently make coffee have at home as good as or better than Star(wants your)bucks.
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But they make the best ice cream I have ever had. A lot of grocery stores carry it and it is no more expensive than Ben and Jerry's.
Most coffee ice cream tastes like coffe syrup. Starbucks tastes like a cup of coffee.
I have tried Starbuck;s coffee a few times. I have tried a different one each time and have yet to find one I like. I was with other people everytime I went - never my own choice. IMO, a cup of Starbuck's coffee is a status symbol that tells everyone, when you walk into the office with it, that you right up there on top of the pay scale. I don't expect to ever see one here in the Shoals.
Frankly, there seem to be plenty of coffee places in the Shoals. Visited Rivertown years ago, coffee was OK. Appears to attract the college crowd. Le Beau's at the mall is pretty good, plus the people watching on their patio. I believe there's a coffee shop at the library. I prefer either Joe Muggs at Books-a-Million or McDonald's, especially when I'm in the mood for coffee mochas. I see the Faithful Cup is open in Sheffield, again. Muscle Shoals has Mugs.com.
In large cities, Starbucks serves a different crowd. Young people use their facilties to work, sometimes in lieu of renting a office. I used Starbucks to meet for business quite often, when I lived in DC. Preparing your own coffee at home is cheaper, but less likely as a meeting place for business acquaintances and friends.
i love all the local coffee places in the shoals. that's a reason i don't want starbucks to open here, but i love their mocha frappuccino, so yeah, bring it on.
I've never been in a Starbucks in my life and tend to only drink a cup of coffee in the morning and at home.