When I owned my coffeehouse (2001-2004) people frequently asked me if I hated Starbucks. I didn’t. After all, Starbucks is responsible for re-introducing the culture of coffee in the United States and for establishing it in countries where the cafe culture never before existed. Starbucks put the romance into the coffee experience. Without those romantic notions consumers wouldn’t have given a second look at my drive-thru, or stop by for a fireside chat over a delicious cuppa joe with their friends. Thank you Starbucks!

Still, the truth is that the coffee giant made it impossible for an independent coffee retailer like me to compete, so I didn’t. Instead my business became what Starbucks is not. It too became a household name but for reasons far from its convenience and fast service.

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