Comments on: Can Starbucks Touch Your Soul?

By: cv harquail

cv harquail — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:22:50 +0000

Mike, thanks so much for your comment! I’ve wondered whether the art was consistently by the same person (tho, a different person than the photographer).. and I will look specifically for Beth when I go in next…I bet she is one of the women who always greets me as though she knew me. Hmm.
That idea of the flourish of individuality inside the sameness is exactly right — it really captures what it takes to make a place feel real.
And there’s more to the story of this Starbucks, too…..

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:59:08 +0000

It stuck with you because it was not corporate, it was not soulless. You have the barista that made it to thank. She takes down corporate artwork and hangs her own paintings in the store. She hand draws all the chalk board signs. It makes you feel like the store has individuality while still maintaining the comfort of sameness. Next time you go in, talk to Beth. You’ll understand why.

By: Melody

Melody — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:02:49 +0000

I think it touched you because it was real and genuine. The cut out creative prop goes to the heart of what the Starbucks experience is supposed to be about. Thanks for posting this! .-= Melody´s last blog ..If Beans Could Speak … The Clover Coffee Experience & the tale of the Starbucks Black and Tan (Episode #1, very late 2007 to August 26, 2008) =-.

By: cv

cv — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:30:44 +0000

Hi Dick-
What a treat to have you comment… and to know that you’re there…. You know, I actually was “surprised” by the Siren– that unexpectedness made it (literally) remarkable. But I think you catch another important quality– that the prop was about community and also helped to create it. hmmm. cv

By: Dick Richards

Dick Richards — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:45:45 +0000

Starbucks, along with McDonalds, pays a lot of attention to “managing the customer’s experience.” And while I appreciate the predictability of my experience in both company’s venues, having my experience “managed” and “predictable” does lend a soulless quality to it. I suspect that the soul is better touched through spontaneous surprises that communicate warmth, community, and care for one another rather than a predictable experience.

I hope the people at Starbucks don’t read this and decide to manage my surprises.
.-= Dick Richards´s last blog ..Favorite Blog Posts For September ‘09 =-.

By: cv

cv — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:27:15 +0000

Hi Ed- I think you’re right that the homemade nature of the prop, plus the idea that it was reused, make it feel more unique. Both of these features take away that sense that the prop might have been cooked up back at HQ to be rolled out impersonally. Thanks so much for commenting!

By: Ed Reid

Ed Reid — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:10:43 +0000

It likely stuck with you because of the novelty of the idea. It’s a creative reuse of a party prop. Also it’s homemade crafty appearance lends it to be more memorable than a slicker marketing piece.