Coffee Shops: Private vs Franchised

As a 'suburbanite', there are only chain coffe shops around in my neck of the woods. Ofcourse "Starbucks" is here in Minnesota, as it is everywhere it seems. But a locally originated chain that is giving them a run for their money, and seems to be preferred around here is "Caribou". Caribou is very similar in style to Starbucks, and has as many stores, if not more. Personally I think they have a better product also. Up and coming out of Minnesota though, is another company just chaining out, "Dunn Bros". I suspect people will start noticing them popping up in other states. They roast their coffee in their stores, and you can't get more fresh then that. Mmmm good java!

Although all these places have comfy chairs, sofas, etc, what I don't care for is that they all match! Every Starbuck has the same furniture, the same style. The same with Caribou, and Dunn Bros. I feel like I am in a franchise....because I am. I am not a big fan of franchise decorating.

Back in my old neighborhood, in the metro area, to go to a chain, one had to go to the downtown or shopping areas. But the privately owned shops were EVERYWHERE! This is one of the things I miss. In fact, in searching for a new house, I dubbed the type of neighborhood I was seeking as a "Coffeshop neighborhood". Neighborhood coffeeshops do more then serve coffee. They can tie a community together. They are gathering places where you see the faces of your neighbors or the people who operate a local business, and you chat in line and get to know them. They serve as gathering places for local book groups, AA meetings, neighborhood watch dogs, Moms of Tots, etc. They have mismatched furniture donated, or found at the Salvation Army, or your garage sale. They have humongous bulletin boards posting who is willing to come clean your house, watch your pets, mow your lawn. Often times they have live music in the evening. And they have great names that are puns that reflect either the owners, the locale, or just coffee in general. My daughter and I used to come up with our own for pun fun.

And somehow...this all makes the coffee taste so much better.