posted 07/26/08 03:15 PM | updated 07/26/08 03:25 PM
Views: 623 | Comments : 24 | Hilltop

Petition against petition for 15th Ave Starbucks

By jseattle
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Grassroots or art project?

News flash -- there's somebody collecting signatures for a petition on 15th Ave. But this one's a little more notable than the typical signature collection effort. Still not sure if I believe them, but Loretta and Jeremiah claim to be collecting names for a petition to demand Starbucks keep its on-the-chopping-block 15th Ave E. location open.

When I asked them what organization they represent, Loretta said she's simply a concerned neighbor. When I asked them why not just go to Victrola, Jeremiah only rolled his eyes.

I don't get it. So I'm starting this petition against their petition. Please sign this post to encourage Starbucks to, indeed, close the 15th Ave E. Starbucks.

Thank you. Sorry, Loretta and Jeremiah.

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Bye Starsucks
I'll still love you in the Midwest.
Comment by something else
July 26, 2008
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what petition?
where's the link to your petition?
Comment by joey
July 26, 2008
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RE: what petition?
I guess I didn't get it, I'm an idiot. Here's my valid signature. ;)

signed: joey trimmer
Comment by joey
July 26, 2008
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Do some research!
jseattle, it might have been nice if you had done some research before dissing Loretta and Jeremiah. I've known Loretta for years. She's a former Boeing machinist who was disabled due to an on-the-job injury and can no longer work. She spends a lot of time hanging out at Starbucks; it provides her with a place to go and friends to see. A number of the other regulars there also have disabilities.

When the 43rd district state house and senate representatives had their office next door, the 15th Ave. Starbucks was their "conference room;" a lively place. Now, it seems to be a gathering-place for people who are older or less fortunate than the young hipsters who hang out at Victrola or Caffe Ladro. It's too bad that Starbucks doesn't like the demographics. And the community should be supportive of some folks who aren't welcome, or don't feel comfortable, among the beautiful people. Bloggers will get old too, one of these days.

I doubt that they'd tell you, or perhaps they can't
Comment by Charlie
July 26, 2008
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sorry charlie!
"...who aren't welcome, or don't feel comfortable, among the beautiful people."

wtf? are you really pulling this card in seattle? i've yet to go one place since moving here where i wasn't welcome or didn't feel comfortable. and if you DO feel that way, it sounds like you have personal issues and you should just get over them.
Comment by zeebleoop
July 26, 2008
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RE: Do some research!
Jeremiah and Loretta have every right to a petition and jseattle was probably a bit snarky in his post (welcome to the web).

But Charlie, you are just as snarky.

Are people who feel that Victrola is a wonderful community place somehow less deserving of community support and less deserving of protection from your derision because you happen to think they are "beautiful"?

Let me tell you something. There are plenty of fugly people at Victrola. I'm no Brad Pitt.

I'm all for members of our community being active and democratic. If they want to keep Sbux, more power to them to try. (And I'll go on the record as one who thinks that Sbux should be replaced by something better).

But please don't stoop to manufacturing divisions between the "older", "less fortunate" people at Sbux and "beautiful", "young hipsters" at other places like Victrola.

You don't need to patronize one side and deride another to make your point.
Comment by pffft
July 28, 2008
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i saw them too
i walked by and thought it was a joke. then they asked me to sign and i told them "i don't drink starbucks." it seems weird to protest for a corporation to stick around when there are so many independent options, but to each their own...so long as people don't ever protest for a subway or quiznos.
Comment by donte
July 26, 2008
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Wow, zeebleoop
No, I don't have personal issues. I was just trying to explain why Loretta and company might not feel comfortable moving to some of the other hangouts on 15th. And chiding jseattle for "not getting it" and making fun of somebody without going further than what sounds like a 30-second conversation.
Comment by Charlie
July 26, 2008
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Let them have their fun
I like that Starbucks. I'm a big fan of Tazo chai not coffee. The weird thing is all the Starbucks I go to when visiting both my family and wife's (different states) and the closest one to my house are all on the chopping block. Yeesh.
Comment by dawggy
July 26, 2008
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I'll sign your petition, j
And I wanted to mention that Stephen Colbert had a pretty funny bit on the pro "sprawling corporate behemoth" petitions.
Comment by yancy
July 26, 2008
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Starbucks was there
long before Victrola. Just sayin.
Comment by seandr
July 27, 2008
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does anyone really care that much? petition against a petition? really? someone has a lot of time on his hands...
Comment by ch
July 27, 2008
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I don't get it
What's jseattle's beef? Is he anti-existing business? Pro-empty-storefront? Was he in a grumpy mood?

Or just trying to improve his story to comment average?
Comment by linder seattle
July 27, 2008
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Starbucks Versus Victrola///Vicbux Versus Startroll///Blah Blah///
In its early incarnation Victrola was kind of okay. Then I noticed double priced charges showing up on my credit card whenever I bought coffee at Victrola, which I promptly reported to Jen, the owner, although have not heard anything back on that. After a while, some pretty vicious heterophobes fenagled barista jobs there and that's when I stopped spending money at Victrola. Thusly, moi has calculated that Victrola has lost several thousand dollars of my business plus perhaps a thousand dollars in tips since I have boycotted the venue.
Comment by thunar
July 27, 2008
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Seriously? Why the animosity?
I don't go to that Starbucks, but just because I don't particularly like the taste of their coffee. On vacation or if I'm near a drive through and want coffee I will, because I have nothing against them as a corporation. I personally go to Fuel, or Cherry St. downtown, or sometimes Victrola if I'm on 15th. Of course sometimes I go to Tully's on 19th for the ice cream shakes. But why would someone agitate against people wanting to save their coffee joint?

Sure, it's not going to work (the petitition), but it just seems small-minded and petty to attack these people by sponsoring a counter-petition. The people who started this petition clearly like Starbucks, and they like this one in particular. jseattle doesn't, but it's just obnoxious to not understand why these people are disappointed and trying to take action.

Typical Seattle hipster response. "Everyone should be indie and free-minded. Unless they think differently than me".
Comment by jcricket
July 27, 2008
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RE: Seriously? Why the animosity?
Hardly animosity, jcricket. I'm hoping something better replaces Starbucks. Loretta and I had a good chat and Charlie's comments round out the situation a little more. I'm withdrawing my petition against their petition. Or maybe starting a petition against my petition.
Comment by jseattle
July 27, 2008
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Thank you!
jseattle, I'm glad you've had a chance to chat with Loretta, and that you are withdrawing your "anti-petition." I'm afraid that you are right -- Loretta's petition isn't going to work -- but the neighborhood should certainly work to encourage a better replacement in that location. Thanks for your work in keeping us connected.
Comment by Charlie
July 27, 2008
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At Victrola. Not cute.
I hope Loretta comes round Victrola, or some other place. I'm not that cute. Nobody ever notices. Lots of people hang around lots of coffee joints all day, so she's likely to find some good company.
Comment by jane
July 27, 2008
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Hilltop Not The Best Moniker For 15th Avenue East Blogroom=Sounds Like Tacoma's Hilltop Slum Area!!!!
Dear Blogdesk;
Please hold a contest to come up with a new name for this blogroom as the "hilltop" connotation is not one to engender that cozy neighborhood feel given the notoriety of nearby Tacoma-Hilltop and its attendant woes, not that 15th avenue East is a panacaea of civility and culture at this time. Perhaps re-naming 15th Ave East after the original native inhabitants (Susquamish in honor of the first locals) or after the zipcode (hey like a Hollywood soap opera) or Free and Independent City-State of Capitopia, or some such artsy name.
Comment by thunar
July 27, 2008
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Secession From Downtown Is The Only Way To Save Planet Earth!!!
15th avenue East must secede from downtown (formerly Seattle) if Planet Earth is to survive. You know it makes sense.
Comment by thunar
July 27, 2008
( 0 votes ) Recommend this
is that Starbucks useful in some way?
I am admittedly in the go-to-Victrola-Starbucks-sucks camp but mainly because I like good coffee and hate sterile, cookie-cutter environments. I could understand their point on the basis that Starbucks, for an enormous corporation, is fairly responsible and gives benefits to part-time workers, etc. But just Starbucks for Starbucks sake? I feel ripped off by the facade that Starbucks offers anything to a neighborhood in terms of culture. I think people have to demand more from their communities than Bed, Bath and Beyond next to Starbucks, next to...yuck! It's not a hipster mentality but possibly the younger generation (I'm 31) demanding more and not wanting to settle for a sterilzed culture that is handed to us. Support local businesses (that serve delicious food and drinks).
Comment by Heidi
July 28, 2008
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In the news
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/372445_starbucks28.ht
Comment by Wesa
July 28, 2008
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RE: In the news
"When Starbucks goes, it's more than just a coffee shop closing. It's a sign that the yuppies are in retreat."

Wow. Let's all have fun deconstructing this statement.
Comment by pffft
July 28, 2008
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Starbucks Urban Legend # 888 The Saga Continueth....
Caffenoiacs on 15th Avenue East are flitting to and from in snits due to the possibility that food and fun franchise Hooters may purchase Starbucks and require baristas to wear bikinis, except in Dubai, where they could be required to wear burkinis... Heterophobes off their meds are concerned that this could inhibit their latte experience....Hooters has expressed an interest in hiring perky personnel for all positions...this announcement could be announced on the mysterious date of 8/8/8 which only occurs once every hundred years in accordance with the prophecies of Nostradamus...a regular at the 15th Avenue East Starbucks.....stay tuned for updates....
Comment by thunar
August 05, 2008
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