On with the beans, in with the grapes and hops.
Starbucks Coffee in Seattle, Washington is testing a new idea of adding beer and wine to their menu along with bar food to catch the eyes of the evening crowd and some in Penn Manor hope it will catch on and come to this area.
Over 70 percent of their customers come before 2 p.m. ordering what they love most, coffee. Starbucks tried to get more service by giving out coupons to get half off or a free coffee in the afternoon, but didn’t succeed.
By adding a bar menu with alcoholic drinks, Starbucks Coffee hopes to increase the flow of customers in the scarce hours and expand their brand.
Professor Elizabeth Sterns from the University of Washington Business School said, “If you look at how well entrenched Starbucks is in terms of coffee, I think it might take a while for people to realize it’s a great place to go after work.”
This location in particular has revamped their store to make people feel more like they’re in a neighborhood cafe. They don’t want people to think Starbucks when they step foot in the door.
The alcoholic beverages will only be served after 4 p.m. for those who want to get their first taste of what it feels like to drink alcohol in Starbucks.
Senior project manager Major Cohen said that they will serve a half dozen kinds of beer and wine ranging in prices from $4 to $7 per glass.
“We’ll be equally as proud of our beer and wine as we are of our coffee,” said Cohen.
But don’t get your hopes up, only one Starbucks location has this to offer.
If this idea pays off and is a success, Starbucks may expand their concept to other locations.
According to Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a restaurant consulting firm, selling alcohol is clearly their attempt to one up McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts. “But if I were sitting in Seattle, I’d go after the evening snack and dessert business, not alcoholic beverages.”
Views at Penn Manor from students were all for this idea.
“It’s really stupid, but it will totally work,” said Jesse Graham, a senior at Penn Manor.
“It’s a great idea for people that want to drink beer in a relaxed environment and enjoy themselves instead of in a bar,” said Jaq Presbery, a senior at Penn Manor.
Penn Manor science teacher Erick Dutchess thinks it will be good for Starbucks in the long run.
On the Today Show, one lady who would like to remain anonymous had opposing views, “Coffee and tea, that’s it. I don’t want to sit down in a coffee shop and drink a glass of wine, I just don’t.”
What new idea will Starbucks come up with next time?
By Cree Bleacher
I am a writer for the flash, i believe that this article was written very well. However, I do not see how something like drinking beer in starbucks, can relate to students.
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