Sorry ‘Bout Your Luck
02/26/08 • Posted in: Downtown Jacksonville, News, Retail by Adrienne Moore 11 Comments »
Today, your neighborhood Starbucks is closing. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., baristas in the coffee giant’s 7,100 stores will receive “emergency intensive remedial training,” ordered by CEO Howard Schultz, according to an AOL blog.
Recently, complaints have arisen that Starbucks baristas don’t know how to make a decent latte anymore. Consumers complain the chain has morphed from a place that once offered a cup of coffee made exactly right to one now famous for its automatic machines.
Tonight, for three hours, baristas will learn how to make a perfect shot, steam milk and wipe the milk steamer before switching from dairy to soy, and not burn coffee. Also on the agenda is a milk-steaming technique that allows baristas to free pour the milk without holding back foam with a spoon, as well as a new procedure for pulling shots of espresso.
So, I say grab a cup of coffee beforehand and then grab one after and see if the results are different and let me know. I’m not sure about all the Starbucks around town, but I’ll definitely commend the downtown store. They make a mean soy misto and always deliver a smile.
its about time.
Howard was away from the top for a while, left a coffee snob environment and came back to Mcdonalds with espresso.
And no kidding on the loss of quality. It used to be that Starbucks baristas were the biggest coffee snobs of all, and now one has to pick and choose where to have drinks made. For the record, the store at 11 east, the one at university and Beach and the atlantic beach starbucks are the only ones with any consistency.
The store on Dunn Ave, and the Ortega Publix should be avoided at all costs….at Ortega they probably need to replace their machines as they are producing a juicy gruel that tastes like burned bean juice cut with nail polish remover.
A decision was made a few years ago to go more like a mcdonalds but with coffee. Many stores added hot sandwiches and other prepared food. The smell of burnt cheese is apparently not a good mix with the smell of burnt coffee.
Now of course, Mcdonalds itself is offering its own espresso bar, and training mcbaristas. (no kidding)
Theres an old adage in politics: Given the choice between a republican and a Republican, people will choose the Republican every time.
I bet its the same with fast food.
Rock on Howard.
Maybe it will be possible to get a decent cup of espresso in this town again.
Starbucks baristas are supposed to go through pretty extensive training before becoming certified.
I guess some are just going through the motions?
11E location is simply my favorite Starbucks of all time. Friendly, fast, convenient, clean and right every time.
Support your local coffee shops. I have and never will buy anything from Starbucks.
have not*
I remember my first visit to a Starbucks. The baristas were happy and energetic. I went back the next day just to be around such positive people. Well, that was a long time ago and the baristas are not the same. However, I have had great experiences at the Jacksonville Beach location. So if you want to be around good people and have a good coffee visit Jacksonville Beach.
As an 11E barista, I have to say thank you.
Starbucks has great coffee. But life would be WAY better if springfield had a dunkin donuts!
I’m afraid that espresso in a paper cup plain sucks!
Where is 11E?
Stay away from the following locations, since getting a drink made correctly is like winning the lottery. I know right away that my drink isn’t right when they hand it to me about 30 seconds after ordering it.
Baymeadows and Philips
Southside and Baymeadows
Avenues
Philips and JTB
UNF