Okay. So this is not your small, obscure coffee shop that I normally like to talk about or direct you to, but Starbucks Coffee Shops are definitely worth mentioning. There are a seemingly infinite number of SB Coffee Shops to visit and to mention each and every one would be virtually impossible.
That said, here I sit in the Centralia, Washington Starbucks right now. Of course, there is more than one Starbucks located in Centralia, so I’m referring to the one located in the Safeway parking lot (there is also a Starbucks inside this Safeway location) on Harrison Avenue off Exit 82 of Interstate 5.
As I sit here this morning enjoying my latte and high speed internet connection, I’m doubting we are truly in a recession. Traffic through the door has been nonstop. The lines have been long, approximately 10 people or so, all morning.
So what is bringing all these people to this particular Starbucks? Is it the coffee, the location, the buzz, or all of the above?
My perception is that this particular Starbucks is in a perfect location. There is not a drive-thru at this SB location, so all attention is focused on the customer walking through the door. It is a bright, cheerful location and has one of the larger seating areas inside as well as a large outdoor seating area that is still being used since Western Washington is enjoying a longer than normal dry fall this year. Fortunately, winter rain has not yet set in for the next undetermined number of months.
Centralia is a small city so there are many people that know each other and meet for coffee at this location. Centralia Community College is close by and many students drop in to meet or do homework on their computers. There are also many, such as myself, that stop in off the freeway and choose this particular Starbucks because of its friendly, cheerful atmosphere. In fact, I’m seated next to a young businesswoman who is here conducting some business while waiting to go to another appointment.
As far as the coffee….well, you decide. The thing about Starbucks, the menu is such you don’t have to guess, it is the same at any Starbucks location. However, I should mention that this Starbucks does not skimp on the flavoring thereby offering a delightfull brew of……well… should I make it a Tall Caramel Macchiato, a Grande White Mocha, a Venti Frappucino, or how about a seasonal Pumpkin latte? Hmmmm, always a tough decision. I love the seasonal drinks and seasonal pastries. It always gives me something to look forward to as we go into the dreary winter months ahead.
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