Opposition to Starbucks Plan Percolates Along PCH

It’s not a rumor anymore. It’s official. Starbucks is trying to invade Seal Beach.

The possible addition of a Starbucks has been a piping hot controversy in the beach town for about half a year.

First, the corporate coffee giant wanted to set up shop on the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, nestled among a batch of small stores.

Cries of protest followed. Letters and columns in local newspapers called for Seal Beach to preserve its historic charms.

Then, two weeks ago, the Planning Commission reviewed a proposal for a Starbucks to replace Burger King on Pacific Coast Highway, north of Main Street.

Owners of the Daily Grind, one of the four coffee establishments in the city, were outraged--and let it be known at the commission meeting. Some residents also expressed concern that the short section of Pacific Coast Highway that runs through town would become overcrowded with commuters seeking java.

City officials said they don’t expect any major obstacles to a Burger King-to-Starbucks transformation. Still, one council member remains dismayed.

“The big fear about Starbucks is that historically, the company has been very predatory,” said Councilman Paul Yost, who was mayor at the outset of the issue. “We have four other coffee shops in town and they are all mom-and-pop operations.”

Councilman Shawn Boyd said he tends to support business owners who want to preserve the town’s unique charm. But he said franchise businesses should not necessarily be frowned upon.

“Just because a particular business is a corporate giant doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look at them as a partner in our community,” Boyd said. “Personally, I’m not a coffee drinker and my wife, who is, says she will always go to the Daily Grind.”

The short stretch of Pacific Coast Highway has plenty of fast food outlets and its changing look has been an issue for years according to a local historian.

“The issue of PCH turning into a strip mall-type of thing is a recurring [theme],” said Gordon Shanks, a member of the Historical Society.

Alex Murashko can be reached at (714) 966-5974