New York Starbucks vs Corona del Mar
The Starbucks in New York are different from the one in Corona del Mar. First off, in New York City, the baristas wear hats. The hats look like baseball caps but instead of having a baseball team on the front, there is a Starbucks logo. In Corona del Mar, the baristas do not wear hats. So I asked one of the baristas in New York City why they wear hats and he said it is because of some health code. And I said, “Well at least you look fashionable.” And the barista said, “I hate it.” One thing that was interesting was that the prices in New York were higher than Corona del Mar for a latte. I ordered a Grande latte and it was over $4.00. I think it may have been as much as $4.25. In Corona del Mar I can get a venti latte for $3.70. Check this out: In New York some of the Starbucks have TV screens that show the current song that is being played over the loud speakers. It also shows a progress bar for the song.
Overall the layout of the Starbucks were very similar. But one Starbucks in New York in particular had a really cool and long table. I was so jealous when I saw it because that table would have been perfect for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer’s Group that I love to host.
One thing that I noticed was that both the baristas in New York and Corona del Mar are very friendly. That was interesting to me because I kind of expected the baristas in New York to have a lot of attitude. But in fact they were very friendly. And when I talked to one barista today and mentioned, “Yesterday I drank two-and-a-half lattes, and for some reason I couldn’t sleep.” She laughed at my joke. I didn’t expect her to laugh.
A big surprise to me was that the New York Starbucks that I visited didn’t have Pay-To-Use bathrooms. They were free, just like in Corona del Mar.
Another odd thing was that even though the Lattes were a higher price in New York from Corona del Mar, the Chocolate Chunk brownies were the same price.
Overall the Starbucks in New York City were busier than in Corona del Mar. There is almost always an empty seat in Corona del Mar. But in New York there were people hovering around, waiting for a new seat to become available. And when I got up someone swooped down into my chair like a a vulture.
I didn’t notice any Starbucks in New York that had fireplaces. But I think the Corona del Mar Starbucks fireplace is a pretty rare thing. So that is most likely a difference between the Corona del Mar Starbucks and the world.
It was really surreal to see the same audio CD’s promoted at the Starbucks on the other side of the continent. I could remember that CD with the “Wake Up” title very easily. That is seriously powerful marketing, to be able to promote an album all across the USA simultaneously and repetitively.
The biggest difference between the New York Starbucks and Corona del Mar, is that the baristas at the Corona del Mar Starbucks are one of a kind. They are so funny and cool that I am really lucky to have a local Starbucks with so many superstars. I know if I lived in New York that I would probably get to know the baristas there, so this is a mute point.
-Tyler
“Moot point,” not “mute point.” 🙂 But then again, perhaps it would be a mute point if it was first a moot point.
Anyhoo, I think I have been to the Corona Del Mar Starbucks. Is it the one right at the corner of PCH and, like, Goldenrod? If so, I went there years and years ago when I frequented the area; in the early to mid-1990s when it first opened. I was a confirmed Diedrich’s fan and I was very suspicious and skeptical about this thing called Starbucks. Sounded like a conspiracy to me. A few years and countless Caramel Macchiato’s later and I have been assimilated…thus confirming the aforementioned conspiracy.
Comment by Ron Leighton — October 21, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
Good Point!
Comment by Tyler — October 23, 2010 @ 7:52 pm