05 February 2009

Starbucks: Gentrification or McDonaldization

Or is there a difference? Map below shows how Starbucks stores spread into gentrified areas of NYC, starting in the Upper East side in the 80's:


...Starbucks soon will enter the value-meal race. Schultz had long belittled such a move and said that customers were willing to pay a premium for the Starbucks "experience."
-USA Today

4 comments:

5chw4r7z said...

Hey don't be bashin my McyD's.
I'm on a quest to get one downtown like a real city.

CityKin said...

I hate them but go there probably once a week. Help me help myself and keep them further away.

ekalb said...

5chw4r7z, you know the CAC replaced the downtown McD's location. I think it was a much better deal for the city.

Randy Simes said...

Given Starbucks recent moves of the affordable breakfast special and other items, it seems like they're moving towards the value-meal race at least while the economy sucks.

And yes, Downtown does need a McDonalds. I think there could be a spot for them in the new QCS II, somewhere on 4th, or on Main Street. Heck if they got creative they might even be able to make something work on Court Street.