2008 Woodie Awards
Local coffee shops not afraid of new competition
Charleston coffee shops see little or no decrease in customer numbers since Starbucks opening
Jordan Crook/City Reporter
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News
To listen to students sound off on Starbucks's arrival, click here.
When a competing national chain moves into an area, local businesses often suffer as a result.
This, however, has not been the case for at least two of Charleston's coffee shops since Starbucks opened in the city more than a week ago.
While Starbucks has seen a steady stream of customers since its opening, Jackson Avenue Coffee and the on-campus Java B&B have not seen a decrease in customers.
Doug Miller, manager of operations for Jackson Avenue Coffee, 708 Jackson Ave., chalks this up to the atmosphere offered at his coffee shop.
"It's like (that show) 'Cheers,'" Miller said. "Where everybody knows your name."
He said customers who visit Jackson Avenue Coffee like to sit and enjoy their coffee and each others' company, which Miller said differs from what he called the "stop-and-go" atmosphere of Starbucks.
"It's really a destination stop for people," he said.
Miller said the environment of the coffee shop is what makes people want to stay in the shop for long periods of time.
He said his shop is larger than Starbucks , and the space also allows room for bands to perform.
Miller said Jackson Avenue Coffee has catered to several niche customer groups within the area by providing space for them to watch bands perform and for various organizations to meet since it opened nearly six year ago.
"We're an embedded and fully functional member of the community," he said.
Miller said students who are used to Starbucks might pick the chain over his local business.
"If Starbucks is their favorite coffee shops, then (students) might go there," he said. "But, otherwise, I think they'll still come to Jackson Avenue."
Kristin Cann, assistant director of Java B&B and Panther Catering, shares a similar sentiment about the effect of Starbucks on Java B&B's businesses, though she thinks the proximity to campus will keep students coming to the shop.
She said Java B&B, located in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, has an ideal location for students
"(Java B&B) is centrally located on campus," she said. "In order for students, faculty and staff to go to Starbucks, they would have to leave campus, which is just not convenient."
Cann said the shop has not seen a decrease in customers since Starbucks opened and does not expect a decrease.
"I believe our customers are loyal to Java B&B," she said.
She said students will continue to come to the campus coffee shop because of its variety of products, including Haagen Dazs ice cream, baked goods and fruit cups.
Keith Bliss, owner of Jitters and Bliss, a coffee shop in Charleston also on Lincoln Avenue, would not comment on this story.
Jordan Crook can be reached at 581-7945 or at jscrook@eiu.edu.
When a competing national chain moves into an area, local businesses often suffer as a result.
This, however, has not been the case for at least two of Charleston's coffee shops since Starbucks opened in the city more than a week ago.
While Starbucks has seen a steady stream of customers since its opening, Jackson Avenue Coffee and the on-campus Java B&B have not seen a decrease in customers.
Doug Miller, manager of operations for Jackson Avenue Coffee, 708 Jackson Ave., chalks this up to the atmosphere offered at his coffee shop.
"It's like (that show) 'Cheers,'" Miller said. "Where everybody knows your name."
He said customers who visit Jackson Avenue Coffee like to sit and enjoy their coffee and each others' company, which Miller said differs from what he called the "stop-and-go" atmosphere of Starbucks.
"It's really a destination stop for people," he said.
Miller said the environment of the coffee shop is what makes people want to stay in the shop for long periods of time.
He said his shop is larger than Starbucks , and the space also allows room for bands to perform.
Miller said Jackson Avenue Coffee has catered to several niche customer groups within the area by providing space for them to watch bands perform and for various organizations to meet since it opened nearly six year ago.
"We're an embedded and fully functional member of the community," he said.
Miller said students who are used to Starbucks might pick the chain over his local business.
"If Starbucks is their favorite coffee shops, then (students) might go there," he said. "But, otherwise, I think they'll still come to Jackson Avenue."
Kristin Cann, assistant director of Java B&B and Panther Catering, shares a similar sentiment about the effect of Starbucks on Java B&B's businesses, though she thinks the proximity to campus will keep students coming to the shop.
She said Java B&B, located in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, has an ideal location for students
"(Java B&B) is centrally located on campus," she said. "In order for students, faculty and staff to go to Starbucks, they would have to leave campus, which is just not convenient."
Cann said the shop has not seen a decrease in customers since Starbucks opened and does not expect a decrease.
"I believe our customers are loyal to Java B&B," she said.
She said students will continue to come to the campus coffee shop because of its variety of products, including Haagen Dazs ice cream, baked goods and fruit cups.
Keith Bliss, owner of Jitters and Bliss, a coffee shop in Charleston also on Lincoln Avenue, would not comment on this story.
Jordan Crook can be reached at 581-7945 or at jscrook@eiu.edu.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Eric Davidson
posted 2/17/08 @ 10:10 PM CST
I decided to spend a few hours on Saturday night studying and went to Jitters and Bliss at 7:00 p.m.. I easily could have went across the street, but I wanted to support the local establishment rather than the chain. (Continued…)
Brant
posted 2/18/08 @ 12:12 AM CST
Everyone acts like Starbucks rides up and mugs small local children, but in reality it's providing many needed jobs to the area for students and locals, offers health care, 401k, and other benefits to part timers, and offers a relaxed atmosphere, Jackson will stick around, but Starbucks will win out slowly. (Continued…)
Dannyboygrr
posted 2/18/08 @ 10:59 AM CST
Why do so many people seem against Starbucks, but don't say anything about Wal-Mart? I think in the bigger picture Wal-Mart is worse. Starbucks may give the local coffee shop a run for its money, but Wal-Mart gives every single business in Charleston (Starbucks included) something to worry about. (Continued…)
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