Napa city officials have confirmed that Starbucks Coffee has applied to make facade changes at the former location of at the corner of First and Main streets, according to a report in the .
While officials could not confirm the coffee chain has a lease agreement for the space, the Register reports that the application includes sign review and outdoor seating.
Members of the group Napa Local, which was formed in opposition to the rumored advent of a downtown Starbucks across the street from the , are pondering their next move, according to comments on the group's Facebook page Wednesday night.
How does this news strike you? Please tell us in the comments.
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While I think Napa should hold up Carmel as its ideal for reshaping down down read what happens in Carmel when they keep out Starbucks. http://theshot.coffeeratings.com/2007/02/carmel-espresso/
Bounty Hunter isn't a coffee shop. Not a good comparison. Just a block and a half away exists a very nice place that just opened it's doors and it is exactly as you described Starbucks (comfy and wifi etc.) and it was even featured here on Napapatch. My wife is an avid coffee drinker and likes Starbucks but she would tell you that Weavers Coffee, which Molinari's features, is light years ahead of what Starbucks offers. http://napa.patch.com/articles/molinari-caff-to-open-its-doors-next-week
Mary Ziegler
For those of you who have tasted burnt coffee, then Napa Roaster is for you. For the rest of us who want good coffee then Ricks and Starbucks is the answer. If Napa Roaster can't hold its own then they bare the responsibility to not offer a quality product. Oh yes, take a look at what it looks like and cared for on the inside.
I take it you're not a resident of Napa and I suspect an agent in the mix to create support for such a wrong thing. Starbucks doesn't belong in the heart of downtown, directly across from a coffee shop that has been in business since 1985. Money spent at a local business is spent locally and is need for a healthy economic ecosytem. Money spent at Starbucks, leaves the community immediately. Sure Starbucks gives... to Africa and others in need. Bottom line is this location is wrong! It will shut down NVCRC. Example: Petaluma, CA., 1994-2006, Deaf Dog Coffee...Starbucks caused this cafe to fold when they moved directly acroos the street. Mr. Merle, there are at least 4 Starbucks locations in Napa already. If you truly feel this is the environment for you, you have choices! I'll stop here, for now. Friends don't let friends do Starbucks.
Starbucks doesn't belong in the heart of downtown Napa. It's bad for the community on an economic level. PERIOD Downtown store fronts should reflect the community. As for the lack of local business and empty store fronts, this has to due with the premium rental rates that building owners want, therefore the type of business that works is anything that creates high volume and sales, i.e. food and beverage, salons. Enough is enough. Friends don't let friends do Starbucks.
For a hysterical look at Starbucks drinks/drinker's choices... check out this web site: http://www.buttafly.com/starbucks/index.php
Keep Starbucks out of Downtown Napa. And Napa Roasting Co, you better get w/ it. Last time I was there...Meh.
To me, it really doesn't matter how many Starbucks already exist in Napa and that they are a mega company. This is one tiny retail space and I would prefer that it be filled with chairs, couches and tables. I did just visit Molinari's and it's a good space, though it could use a bit more furniture. Had an espresso, a dinky single for $ 2.15. Weavers is fine roaster. Nonetheless, downtown can absorb another coffee house and it might as well be a Starbucks.
Just reading this it is clear that people have different subjective experiences of coffee, different interests. I think Starbucks is ok but mediocre. Everything I get there is loaded with sugar. My problem is that over the long term if we keep filling downtown with chains like this it will fail. What works in the short term may not in the long term. Why would anyone visit Napa or drive downtown if you live here to go to Starbucks? On the other hand, people do go to Oxbow for their unique shops. We need unique, local shops to make it interesting. We can stand a few chains, but they don't add much.
Scott: talk is cheap, particularly the kind that bashes. Do something, don't just rail against the night.
As for your bashing comment, I am simply reading your posts that seem almost public relations style in their content and zeal. I am doing something, I am responding to your posts. You're right though, talk is cheap.
Responding to my supportive posts is hardly doing anything about offering a concrete alternative.