Starbucks Nation
Chris Cillizza passes along this map from Jim Davenport mapping the location of every Starbucks location in the country. As Cillizza notes, it’s not surprising that most locations are clumped on the coasts and in major metropolitan area. What is somewhat surprising is the realization that 80% of the U.S. population lives within 20 miles of a Starbucks.
Of course, 20 years ago when I lived in Falls Church, Virginia I lived within two miles of no less than three Starbucks. Even out here in a far more rural area, there’s one less than a mile away, and two more within that range if you count the ones contained in grocery stores. So I guess things haven’t changed all that much, there’s just a lot more cows and horses out this way.
For most people then, Starbucks is within the distance of a healthy walk.
Somewhat related, there are more medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver than there are Starbucks. The same was true for LA for awhile, but I believe quite a few dispensaries have closed up shop since then.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2011659/More-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-Starbucks-Denver-Colorado.html
Counting the location in the Safeway across from my APT complex, I live less than 2 miles from at least 3 Starbucks (1 actual store, location in Safeway, and another store right before I get on 880 for my commute). If I go out 10 miles from where I live, I can count at least 6 stores (and that is 10 miles out in one direction, if we count all directions, oh my, I bet the number at least doubles or triples).
I am the exception. Neither Dirk Benedict nor Katee Sackhoff lives anywhere near me.
I’m surprised it’s only 80%. It gives you a sense of how dispersed the US population is, that one-fifth of fhe population lives outside of a 20 mile radius of those points.
Starbucks is OK if I want a pricey cup of mud with my free WiFi. Since I am retired and on a fixed income that is not very often. They charge for refills too.
The local Mickey D’s has free WiFi and rapper coffee for seniors. “50 Cent please.”
(I always ask if he is back in the kitchen.)
Other McDonald’s I have visited across the fruited plain charge as much as .85 to as little as .27 (Natchitoches LA) for their geriatric brew.
Always free refills.
Thank you Ray Kroc. RIP
Huh. Looks almost like a map of Verizon’s 4G coverage.
I thought I was one of the 20% but turns out there’s a Starbucks tucked in a Target 10 miles away. Now, sadly good coffee, Dunkin Donuts is more than 20 miles away. But I fortunately, roast my own and have no need for industrial coffee.
When I lived in Seattle, the university mall had 3 Starbucks within its perimeter. One large store, one in the Border’s and one in the Safeway. The best coffee was at an outdoor stand just at outside one of the driveway entrances in a manufacturing parking lot. Starbucks if for people who like a little coffee in their milk and burnt coffee at that.
Walking distance? I was in Seattle and there were usually three Starbucks within sight! Dunkin’ Donuts still owns New England though.
Starbucks doesn’t store their coffee well, so the oils are pretty much always rancid.* If you add enough chocolate and sugar and blend it it makes a tasty dessert. For really good coffee, the fresher the roast, the better the cup.
* That’s true of most everywhere.
A while back, Starbucks closed a lot of stores. Some, like one nearby, had only been open just over a year. We felt it never had a chance to make it.
When Schultz came back, the stock recovered and has done well. They need to be careful about over expansion.
There are three Starbucks within walking distance of where I live, but there are better coffee shops to go to.
Hmmm, Starbucks Nation looks a lot like the Obama electoral map.