Starbucks in Paris???!!!
 

Apparently, it's true...

http://money.cnn.com/2004/01/16/news...reut/index.htm

This may seem silly, but I feel saddened by this news. Another McDonald's-type invasion???

Sorry, craisin, but we've "been there, done that" on this topic...

To craisin

I totally agree with you. I too am saddened to see more Americanization of any part of Europe. I love America but I hate to see Europe losing it's character and charm. We need for there to be differences from coutry to country. Without that travel would be pointless.

Larry J

Then don't go there when there!!

Just wondering, Larry.

Do you feel as saddened by the Europeanization of the Americas?

I'm not saddened. If I can get a skim milk decaf latte I will be delighted.

sorry, guys...I was a little PMS-sy (excuse me) when I first posted this topic. So, can we please just let this one die? thanks

It just so happens that among the Starbuck's Paris start up team are several Canadians, so it ain't necessarily the "Americanization..."

BAK

Starbuck's was a appreciated stop in Barcelona and Madrid on my trip. We are suppose to be a global community now so go with it. I got exactly what I expected when I went in and was glad to have their services while there.

Hi

Allthis talk of Starbucks has brought to mind the little cafe on Via Guido Monaco in Florence where my Lady Wife and I would stop for breakfast.

We each had a cafe latte and a panini(well sometimes I would have two) for 2.25E, sitting at a table.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

Does anyone know when Starbucks arrived in Paris? What year?
Or how I could find out (research for a project).

January 16, 2004, according to the Starbucks website:
http://tinyurl.com/mvpfch

There are now 36 locations inside Paris. I have never set foot in one, but they don't seem to mind.

Actually, we have sinned and used Starbucks in Paris. There was one just by the bus stop by our apartment the last time we rented in the 5th. It was great for when we missed our bus in the morning; just pop in for a coffee to go, and by the time the coffee was ready -- here came the next bus. Lots of Parisians were doing the same, as the alternative was to go into the nearest French breakfast place and "waste" a half hour waiting to get service.

Works for us.

:-)

When we first saw them in Paris we felt the same way as craisen. However, one cold blustery January day while walking in the 6yh and in need of a bathroom we came upon one and stopped in. We go there all the time now when we are in Paris. They always have English speaking staff and clean restrooms and we can take our coffee with us if we choose. I've never been a big lover of the stromg coffee(expresso) served in french cafes. I have recently become fond of cafe Cremes though.

There was one, a few steps down the street from the apartment that I rented on the rue St.Andres des Arts in the 6th, in spring 2008.

And I totally don't understand this thought wave, although I've been hearing the rhetoric for over 3 decades, of how awful it for American companies to move into Europe. There are companies all over the world that are in different countries and is that awful,too or is it only awful if it involves American companies?

Here in L.A., we have plenty of Asian restaurants/eateries/mini markets/supermarkets, etc...that are Asian owned/based. And in Bangkok, where I stay part of the year, there are tons of 7-Elevens and I don't hear any of my Thai friends complaining about it. They're always in 7-Eleven and happy for the convenience of the place. The presence of 7-Elevens isn't making the place any less Thai.

There are many foreign companies in the U.S. I remember, very well, when we had the French, Cafe Casino, cafeteria, right there on Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills and another one, I think over in Westwood. The Beverly Hills one was very busy. Folks , I for one, ate there and didn't complain because it was French.

My close male, Parisian friend, who's born, raised, and has lived in Paris his whole life loves Burger King. When he came to visit me in the fall, he wanted to go to Burger King. He doesn't eat it all the time, but likes to have it when he wants it.

The workers, who are provided employment, probably aren't complaining about it either. When I went to Starbucks on rue St.Andres des Arts to grab a scone, there were French customers and of course French workers in there. If the folks didn't want the places, then they wouldn't go to them.

And right here in Pasadena, we have Il Fornaio Restaurant. On the wall outside it lists the other locations of which some are in Italy. I don't have a problem with that and I'm sure the folks who are employed there don't either. I've known a couple of folks who've worked there and were grateful for their jobs.

If people don't want to patronize foreign companies, in their country, then that's their prerogative. But, let those who choose to have the freedom to do so. Happy Travels!

Almost outside my door last year in Paris was Gap, Starbucks, Subway and McDonalds. This was not in a heavy tourist area at all. Faubourg Saint Antoine, 11th arr.

McDonalds for a traditioal sundae, Subway for a late night cold Coca Light when I was too lazy to grocery shop. My friend really liked a subway sandwich on occasion. Subway smells like a hospital cafeteria to me, so I don't eat there anywhere.

All these places were busy as I passed them day after day.

I don't frequent Starbucks in the US so it won't be hard to ignore it in France. In the Pacific Northwest it isn't hard to find smaller coffee operations and I wouldn't mind if a French enterpreneur opened some shops to compete with Starbucks as I do enjoy the occasional mocha to take away.

We were in Paris thispast March. One very cold sunday morning we went to Bercy Village. We got there at 9:30 and nothing was open yet except Starbucks so natuarally we sat there and had a warm cup of coffee and watched people going by. I'd rather give my money to a smaller enterprize but they don't or won't fill that void that Starbucks has so convieniently jumped into.

Aren't their any enterprising French folk to set up competition with Starbucks? Last year I stopped by an open cafe in the contrascarpe after picking up my croissant nearby to get a cafe w/cream to go but the cup was sooo small and my need for caffeine so large!

I also got a coffee at a Monoprix but that turned out to be instant and just didn't satisfy.