Who knew that Connecticut Post scribes, on what they’re paid, could afford a Starbucks coffee? CT Post columnist Keila Torres Ocasio meows in her latest commentary about Starbucks blowing off the state’s largest city while embracing New Haven and Hartford as well as surrounding suburbs that are loaded with them. Alas, we have brew for the common folks such as Dunkin’ Donuts and Bagel King. What self-respecting Bridgeport cop would hang out at a Starbucks? But who knows, maybe Keila’s urge for a cup of high-end joe will press Seattle into action. We won’t complain. The city could use the tax money. Keila’s column:
Hey Starbucks! Bridgeport is over here!
How is it possible that the largest city in the state doesn’t have a Starbucks coffeehouse? All three of our neighbors — Trumbull, Stratford and Fairfield — have Starbucks stores. Fairfield has a whopping four stores.
Bridgeport has none. There doesn’t seem to be a good reason, though, why the city doesn’t have a Starbucks coffeehouse. We have 144,000 residents, two colleges, two hospitals and a bank headquarters here.
Customers we do not lack.
I know what some people will say. Bridgeport has crime and a high tax rate. So do New Haven and Hartford. And yet both cities have two Starbucks stores. Bridgeport has none.
Read more: www.ctpost.com/news/article/KEILA-TORRES-OCASIO-Why-is-Starbucks-ignoring-3617588.php
*** I’ll take a “Dunkin’ Donuts” coffee over Starbucks any day of the year, no? *** WORKING MAN’S CUP OF JOE ***
Are you serious? This is a story? Come on Keila. get a grip. You are beginning to slip big time. First that garbage fantasy piece about a kid buying a gun, now this. Stick to politics and how that destroys Bridgeport. Maybe Bridgeporters don’t like burnt coffee anyway!
Keila seems to think it was a good idea to develop the corner of Old Town and Main and thus ruin the entryway into a great, picturesque neighborhood. That is what happened. The residents come out and stand up for their neighborhood and they get whacked by the Whipping Post. Hey, they got their wish. A bank on the corner ruined the neighborhood entry. Another ratchet down under Finch’s watch.
And Downtown has not been able to support quality coffee shops yet. Not enough critical mass, however, Keila is right. It’s crazy not having a Starbucks in Bridgeport. North Main at least could certainly support one, so could Madison Avenue.
Starbucks has specific demos to come to a location.
Downtown flunks the test as far as the necessary critical mass. Old Town location passed their smell test with proximity to Mall and corporate corridor on Bridgeport’s border. Bridgeport has 14 Dunkin’s. Maybe Starbucks could open a joint venture comedy club with BRBC and call it StarYucks!
Why aren’t there any White Castles in Connecticut would have been a much better question. This brings back memories of my late friend Henry who would not only raise this question, but would drive from Bridgeport to New York just to buy White Castle’s burgers. Sure one can buy frozen White Castle in the supermarket, but it’s not the same as a fresh serving. The best way for a Starbucks in Bridgeport to be very profitable would be to open a White Castle with a Starbucks next to it. Trust me, the coffee at White Castle could never compete with Starbuck’s or Dunkin’ Donut’s coffee. Anybody on for a good cup of Joel?