News has come out this week that has caused some Northwest Arkansas residents to lapse into decaffeinated mourning. Alas, Starbucks is closing THREE stores in Rogers and Lowell just weeks after announcing their 600 store closings nationwide. While some are glad to see the coffee giant off every corner, others are not excited about the prospect of losing their morning pick-me-up and meeting spot. As my office is just across the street from one such establishment, I thought it only pertinent to reflect on our coffee habits as a society as well as my own in particular.
Why is a $5.00 cup of coffee so appealing to us anyway? I like to think of myself as a bit of a coffee snob and can make a pretty decent cup of joe at home when the mood strikes. Heck, I even have a french press! So, while I can make a $0.25 cent cup of coffee (that is usually more than respectable) at home, I, like much of the rest of America, take to the streets and order up a cup from Starbucks or Seattle’s Best or whatever the corner coffee store happens to be when the mood strikes. Is it better coffee? Most of the time, absolutely not. In fact, I won’t buy Starbucks Coffee to make at home because I don’t think it has much flavor. As an old friend used to say, “Then what’s the dill pickle?”
I think the “dill” is (among other things) — and this is just me — that I like the luxury of going out and getting a cup of coffee. Will McDonald’s suffice? Heh, right. I’d rather bring my own percolator to work. I like the routine, the atmosphere, the camaraderie of like minds gathering to feed their addiction. I don’t think it’s one single thing that makes me (or anybody else for that matter) spend outrageous sums of money on coffee that is simply ‘Better than the alternative.’ Don’t get me wrong, I like the coffee. But after drinking it for years, I’m not really sure if it’s really the coffee I like or just the act of buying coffee, then drinking it. Who can say?
Will the world go on? Oh, I think it will. Will I miss the Starbucks across the street? I will, for a while. I’m sure my additions will take me down many paths, Starbucks just being a white mocha among a sea of Arabica beans. Hmmm. I’m going to have to make these last few days count. I bet these 3 stores’ sales skyrocket while they remain open. Maybe it’s all just a ploy by Starbucks corporate to increase sales. Time will tell.
Starting today, October 15th, Northwest Arkansas will be inundated with every type of hand-made basket, figure, artwork, recipe, and food you can imagine. Ah, I love the smell of Kettle Corn and freshly carved crafts. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Craft Fairs have arrived in Northwest Arkansas. All in all, there are ten (yes that’s 1-0) major fairs going on in our area with additional booths set up anywhere people congregate. Here are just a few of the fairs and times they are open:
