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June 4, 2008
SAVE THE REPUBLIC (Or at least go there)
Here’s what I think about Starbucks (TRADEMARK LOGO):
It’s good coffee. I’ve always prided myself on being able to drink any type of coffee as long as it has a smack-like level of caffeine – which is way I’m so comfortable drinking my own sludge (and I have any left over, I put it in a can and sell it to one of those companies that makes that stuff that you smear on your wall to make a chalkboard)
For a store that makes it a point to plant itself on every corner and play Norah Jones over the intercom, it’s surprisingly unintrusive. For all I know the company is flogging spider monkeys to roast their beans, but the coffee I get at my neighborhood ‘Bucks is black, strong, and er . . . roasty. I like their new blend that has Pike in the title. And while the service isn’t superlative, their employees at least have to adhere to a strict “be nice to customers” policy. And most of the time they don’t want to hector me with questions about why I’m there and then come to discover that I’m writing a really long paper about a book they’ve never read.
On a side note, most Starbucks that operate within other businesses, like bookstores or Targets (a good place to buy chalkboard paint, I hear), are pretty uniformly terrible. They’re not official Starbucks, and the one down the street from me in Bookstar is always understaffed. The guy who works there almost permanently rarely has coffee ready. (Borders also sucks, but they’re Seattle’s Best).
(Interestingly, when I was in San Francisco, I went to the Starbucks across the street from my hotel, which was downtown – lotta homeless around. I saw about six of them wander in the Starbucks. I imagine this must be a problem for them, and I’m really curious how they deal with it. I seriously doubt the Colin Meloy look-alikes/Barristas are naturally capable of handling this.)
But despite the overwhelming fact that you can get wireless at the crappy pizza place down the street (or from your unwitting dope of a neighbor), Starbucks has famously and gruffly offered only T-Mobile and their damnable ripoff Hot Spot. I assume there are a number of reasons there (the close proximity of Starbucks to nearby apartment complexes, for instance) but it mostly translates to dinero in the pockets of Starbucks from their Ugly Uncle, T-Mobile.
In San Francisco, I was supposed to get internet service, but for the jackbooted thugs of Hyatt, “internet access” meant “ten dollars a day,” which is fracking ridiculous considering they were already charging me “an arm and a leg.”
So here’s a pretty lame olive leaf – Starbucks is offering free wireless . . . kind of.
You get two hours a day. And emails from AT&T trying to sell you their poor service (Don’t get me started). And you have to buy a Starbucks card that has five dollars on it at all time. And you can only use the two hours at once, and you can’t conserve it over the course of the day.
All this so Starbucks can start a new ad campaign saying “Starbucks gives Free Wireless! You’re Welcome, World! Give us a hug!” It’s a sham, kids, and I won’t be spending much time in there any time soon.
On a flip side, the best coffee shop in Memphis just opened (or re-opened): The Republic on Walnut Grove. Good coffee, a cool atmosphere, laid-back but quick service, coffee in actual mugs, comfortable booths (and a lot of them) and, of course, free wireless. It’s only a mile from my house but, sadly, it just re-opened and I’ll only get to take advantage of it for a short time. And that's too bad, because the hipsters who work there don't seem to give a damn if you want to spend the whole day there putting pencil to paper on your truly awful novel.
Forget Starbucks and their stupid, sneaky wireless plan with strings attached. Help the Republic thrive! The Republic will live forever!
BTW, if you’re just checking this for the first time today, you get the double-treat/agony of reading my review of Indiana Jones. Go ahead! Just hit the page-down and see what happens! To which I’d like to add: any movie that prominently quotes John Milton can’t be all that bad.
| By Andytown | 5:54 PM
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Comments
Andy,
I will have to try out Republic, but I think it will be hard for it to beat out Cafe Eclectic. Not only does the Cafe have awesome coffee, but they also have homemade donuts, good burgers and the best soda fountain in Memphis. They also have hipsters galore who are nice and not pissed that you asked what music is playing. STAY ECLECTIC!!! (But I will try Republic)
Posted by: Harvey at June 5, 2008 5:54 PM
Republic is wonderful! I make a point to go there every time I am in Memphis. A few years ago when it was on Madison, there were always several people there taking advantage of good coffee, free wireless, and yummy treats.
The baristas at the new place don't bother anyone and I love the way they automatically assume you want your coffee in a reusable mug rather than a disposable cup.
On a recent trip I discovered their delightfully vintage edition of Trivial Pursuit. After stomping my friend for two games, I can now say that I feel more than ready to take on anyone (even you, abomb) who thinks they stand a chance!
So, yes, I second your call to support Republic. When the new place first opened The Flyer ran an article about the owner's desire to bring a little life back into that part of town. Sure, he may have just been blowing hot air, but the shop does offer more than just a cozy spot to chill. It's a place to escape from corporate monotony and yuppie greed.
Posted by: sarah beth at June 7, 2008 1:09 AM
Whenever I go into Republic, I always like the way the baristas automatically assume you want your coffee in a mug rather than a disposable cup. They also have an awesome edition of Trivial Pursuit. I welcome a worthy and brave adversary to join me in a game! Do you feel lucky, punk? Huh? Do ya?
Posted by: sarah beth at June 8, 2008 11:52 AM