Today’s the day: Starbucks’ simultaneous shutdowns

Just in case you haven’t already heard this 2,000,001 other places already, today’s the day that Starbucks is closing its 7,000-plus U.S. stores for three hours of worker training, 5:30-8:30 pm local time. If you’re a SBUX fan looking for alternatives, here’s what you’ll find in West Seattle:
Alki Bakery
Angelia’s Red Cup Espresso
Bakery Nouveau
Bird on a Wire
Bubbles on Alki & on Delridge
Caffe Ladro
C & P
Cafe Rozella
Capers
Coffee to a Tea with Sugar
Cupcake Royale
Diva
Easy Street
Freshy’s
Hotwire (WSB sponsor)
Java Bean
Original Bakery
Revolution
Sleepless (DRIVE-THRU)
Tully’s Alki
Tully’s Morgan Junction
Uptown Delridge
Uptown Junction
Grocery stores not included. (Taken from our annual “where you can get a latte on Thanksgiving morning” compilation.)

k February 26, 2008 (6:59 am)

i think it’s hilarious that everyone has made such a big deal over this. the starbucks gossip blog is full of nasty comments. even one from our own cafe ladro owner. i think it’s a smart decision to get all of the baristas back on the same page and trained properly. a refresher course is good for all hospitality jobs!

Delivery Dude February 26, 2008 (7:43 am)

Angelia’s isn’t open from 5:30-8:30pm -scratch that one.

Agen February 26, 2008 (8:29 am)

I gotta say, looking at this lineup, West Seattle has some of the best espresso cafes in town.

Gunnar February 26, 2008 (8:44 am)

There’s also the Java Joint @ 17th & Delridge and Caffe Rozella just across Delridge from the Java Joint.

westwoodmom February 26, 2008 (9:11 am)

I was lured back to Starbucks by their yummy and reasonably priced breakfast sandwiches, but that is one of the things being discontinued by Howard. IF I need a fix on the road, it’s back to small, local shops for me, I’d rather support them.

Jiggers February 26, 2008 (9:30 am)

Nasty comments? hehehehehe…I haven’t begun, nor’ I could say what you want here without spilling the F-bomb a few hundred times without the getting past the censorship here. Anyways, Starbucks always sucked, and will always suck. Did i repeat myself? I only drink coffee maybe twice a week, and I prefer the French Roast flavor that 7-11 serves you. Its hell a lot cheaper and doesn’t taste that bad at all. But coffee like wine, You could put the packaging in front of me, and I still couldn’t tell you what I had. Starbucks sucks!!!

JanS February 26, 2008 (9:52 am)

wow…look at all those reasons to never go to a Starbucks….

OP February 26, 2008 (9:58 am)

I’m quite possibly the only one in the Northwest that this doesn’t affect. Why? I don’t drink coffee. Love the smell, can’t stand the taste.

villagegreen February 26, 2008 (10:11 am)

Couldn’t care less about Starbucks closing for 3 hours, but am wondering if any of the fine independent shops carry anything similar to a frappuccino? I rarely go to Starbucks (I like Verite, C&P, and All City in Georgetown), but every once in a while really get a craving for a coffee or green tea frappuccino. I would love to avoid Starbucks all together. Anyone got the answer?

Jack Loblaw February 26, 2008 (10:34 am)

Jiggers — we can always count on you for an entertaining comment. Just out of curiosity do you also shop at Wal-mart ?

coffee geek February 26, 2008 (10:47 am)

K: Would you mind posting a link to the Ladro owner’s comments? I looked at the blog but couldn’t find them! Thanks… :)

Sue February 26, 2008 (10:59 am)

villagegreen, Cafe Ladro makes a really nice frozen mocha – or I should say the one downtown does, and I’m assuming that they have it at the WS one as well. Tullys also makes a frappuccino-like drink (the bellacino). I think many of the coffee shops have a “frozen” type of drink – they just call them so many different things that it it’s not always clear what they are.

Sue February 26, 2008 (11:00 am)

While not in West Seattle, Caffe Vita is giving out free coffee drinks this evening, coinciding with the Starbucks closing hours today. http://www.caffevita.com

coffee geek February 26, 2008 (11:16 am)

I’ll take any opportunity to blather about good coffee: We’ve been using a Rancilio Silvia (single boiler Italian machine) and Rocky grinder for about 1.5 years now. I still use the “training” portafilter because watching the crema flow from that is more rewarding than watching it dribble from two spouts. The absolute BEST beans I’ve found in town are the Vita espresso roast (grind setting 8) from Espresso Vivace. But yesterday my wife picked up some Zoka beans…we’ve heard those make a great shot too. I’m not a SBUX hater though. They really blazed a trail for these independent craft roasters we enjoy here. SBUX is extremely convenient and they make a decent milk drink. When I was working in Fairbanks, AK this winter all they had was a SBUX for “quality” coffee. Compared to everything else up there, SBUX was gourmet!

coffee geek February 26, 2008 (11:17 am)

sorry, that sunglass-smily should be the number “eight”

Keith February 26, 2008 (1:44 pm)

I don’t know why they’re closing for three hours – the retraining video is only five minutes long:

http://origin.www.spike.com/video/2730057

Coffee Gurl February 26, 2008 (6:22 pm)

Try the Hotwire ‘Wired Cow’ it’s made with their own coffee and a wonderful non-fat Ghirardelli frappe.

Jiggers February 26, 2008 (6:40 pm)

LOL Keith, Hey I think Starshmucks thinks is in trouble already with their new competitor, Mickydeees. They haven’t even started their coffee business yet. Feeling the pressure already.