"Indie" Starbucks Offer Wine, Beer, and a Movie

15th Ave Coffee & Tea has its own rain table.

I'm not too proud to admit I've been in 15th Ave Coffee & Tea a few times, drawn like a hapless mariner by the siren song of the Clover machine. But it wasn't until I read this Reuters story on Starbucks' experiment with "indie" stores in Seattle that I learned how good we really have it.

First of all, the wine and beer are Seattle options. You're not going to find that elsewhere. Why? Because we're adults, in Seattle. We can have nice things. The rest of the country--pfft. Scrubs. Also, Howard Schultz lives here. You know Howard, he likes a glass of wine now and then.

(Luckily, he can still afford the nice stuff. The New York Times reports:

Howard Schultz of Starbucks requested last year that his base salary be reduced from $1.19 million to $6,900 as "a personal contribution to cost-control efforts," according to a company statement. However, the company later gave him a $1 million "discretionary bonus" that nearly made up for his sacrifice.)

The alcohol is an interesting "experiment," because Starbucks tells Reuters: "We have no plans at this time to offer these beverages in other locations."

Secondly, we get movie night. I hadn't realized this, either. At Roy St. Coffee & Tea (not on Roy Street, so don't get lost) at the north end of Broadway, they've been showing independent films, with a preference for shorts. And they're participating in Capitol Hill's Blitz Art Walk this Thursday with a jazz/modern dance combo--speaking of things that won't play in Peoria. (The 15th location is also doing jazz CD release parties.)

I know that in some circles it is not permitted to admit that you go to Starbucks, let alone an appropriated-hipster Starbucks, but I have to say: Seattle, we're getting a pretty sweet deal with this experiment. Now, we're owed--a lot--because of the Sonics. But I blame the NBA more than Howard, and I'm willing to let him try to make amends.

The beer and wine and jazz and movies and fireworks are nice. Let's keep this ball rolling. If you have suggestions, I'll collect them and forward to Starbucks.