MOI thinks of Starbucks as the 'evil empire', they are responsible for forcing out small neighborhood coffe shops and replacing with a cold, indifferent corporate shop.

High prices, horrid sandwiches and terrible service, with the added curse of a 'tip' can on the counter for employees.

Would be hapy if all closed.

What ever happen to a good cup of coffee for a dime with refills?

I like Starbucks but don't go that often due to price and calories. I think they just rolled out too many too soon and I think Marks & Herndon does pretty good business and doesn't have one on each corner like some places.

I'm with Rob on this one. To me they're just an overpriced trendy cuppa thisnthat with bad sandwiches and small bottles of water that command about the same price as a gallon of gas. And with two on every corner I think they can stand to lose a couple or 35. I wouldn't have expected it to be news though. I'll continue to get mine at 7-11 and enjoy more of it at a fraction of the price. I hope this doesn't disappoint those who think all dems are latte sipping sandal wearers.

Actually, Consumer Reports said that McDonald's coffee is better than Starbucks and cheaper.

Just don't put a cup between your legs. On the other hand, you'd get millions for it.

At $1.85 for a 16-ounce cup of Pikes Starbucks coffee, this equates to $14.80 per gallon, which is outrageous.

Where are the Congressional hearings? The windfall profits tax? Starbucks executives being grilled by Henry Waxman?

Could it be that Congressional Democrats are in the pocket of "Big Coffee"?

I don't care as long as the one where our Mayor conducts his business does not close.

Doggone it! It would be my neighborhood Starbucks at Marks/Herndon that gets the ax... That's so not fair... Maybe it was the lack of a drive-thru that doomed it. What will the neighbor kids do for part-time jobs? Lots of them got their start in the work world selling their neighbors scones and lattes. They could just walk to work, no car needed. It felt like a step up from burger-flipping, but they still got to learn to make change, show up on time, clean up, service with a smile etc. -- plus their friends would all come in there. Where will they meet for gossip, homework sessions and school projects? Such a nice gathering place in the neighborhood with a patio and everything. Guess that just leaves the parking lot behind Taco Bell. Ugh. Not the same tone at all. Bummer. Bummer. Hey -- any coffee entrepreneurs out there? That place has steady clientele. Just step in and scoop up the customers.

Hi Michael,

Before we get political lets not forget the Republican controlled Congress and White House.

Do you recall any hearings back then?

Congressional hearings do not seem to produce a hill of beans on any side, in this case coffee beans!

When I read about Starbucks closing down stores today, I wasn't the least bit afraid of them filing for bankruptcy or closing down forever. I've been following the whole Starbucks ordeal on savvywallet.com. Even with the free iced coffee on Wednesday promotion, introduction of their fruity smoothies, and free wifi with gift card registrations. The only thing I'm worried about is not enough hotspots for wifi. There are several stores around my area that are closing down, and that's what I'm concerned about. I enjoy walking around the streets, plop down and always be able to find a signal because I know a Starbucks is near. The glory days are over.

"Starbucks the evil empire." That is really funny. Finally I got around to looking at the blog because I really don't care where Starbucks goes.I tried their plain coffee once, and I did not like it. My daughter drinks those weird anything butcoffe flavored coffees.

I did not notice their tip jar. The first one I saw at a bakery in Fig Garden.
Then a seller of roses (across the counter) put the bite on me for a tip.
The next jar was at a bakery in Clovis. They sell good stuff. I asked
the sales lady how she would like to pay baksheesh to the guy who
sold her a pair of shoes at Gottschalks. She said she would not like it.

Remember the Kress Five and Ten on downtown Fulton Street, just a couple of doors down from Longs at the corner of Fulton and Fresno?
They had a sign over their snack bar counter; not to tip the personnel because they were paid a fair wage.

While on vacation abroad, we bought a ticket for a guided tour. When we left the castle,the guide held his hand out to my husband for baksheesh. My husband took the guys hand and shook it. The guy from Dinuba had no idea that he was expected to give money to the guide who had been paid prior to the guided tour. I knew; and the
guide's grimace of a smile had made my day.

Izzy.....can I call you Izzy? You make me laugh.

There are several stores around my area that are closing down, and that’s what I’m concerned about. The glory days are over.

This UnAmerican Cup of Joe franchise could go 100% belly-up for all I care. Can't stand their arrogant, politically correct, ethnicly diverse, leftist personna, or their fantacy image that they are somehow green. They've done more to increase paper trash than almost any other franchise. Not to mention all the smog created by their long drive-thru lines.

The fact that more stores aren't closing proves the media is exaggerating on the economy slowdown. If things are so bad, how can so many still afford a daily hit of $3 or $4 for a cup of joe?