They’ll Raise Their Cups to Starbucks’ Coffee

I cringed when I saw Dan Neil’s column on Starbucks (“Starbucks Nation,” 800 Words, April 1). Oh no, not another Starbucks bashing! But Neil once again surprised me. His comments were right-on about what Starbucks is and what it provides.

With 13,000 outlets in 39 countries, clearly a lot of people are buying Starbucks coffee. Why don’t we all just admit that it makes a good cup of coffee and that one can rely on its consistency? When traveling domestically or abroad, the local Starbucks often provides a welcome break or a breakfast meal when we’re unsure of other alternatives. Neil articulated why I am both a regular customer and a stockholder in the company. I’m a Starbucks fan!

Ken Higman

Santa Ana

Although I am typically one who supports smaller, independent stores, when it comes to coffee I have found that indie does not equal good. I have tried more than 20 different coffee shops and have not found the consistency in quality that Starbucks provides. In fact, most of them have this bitter, sludgy taste that just about makes me gag. I really want to support the underdog, but no matter where you go, you’re going to still pay more than $2.50 for a cappuccino, and at that price I want to know that what I’m getting is going to be good.

Shana Reid

Via the Internet

I had never considered the possibility that Starbucks, in its infinitely class-neutral ubiquity, could be one of the finest examples of democracy devised for capitalist motives. But I’ve seen it firsthand. And though I can pick many a bone with the Seattle Predator, I can’t think of another company that has achieved the same distinction. What a thought: The sound of freedom ringing may, in fact, be the sound of Ray Charles playing in Starbucks around the world.

Patrick Brady

Redondo Beach