Coffee giant causes ‘brew’haha

     The well-known café, Starbucks, is bringing its business to Milledgeville and competition to Blackbird, a café that has become a local favorite of college students and the rest of the community alike. Starbucks has the reputation of being one of the most successful chains in the coffee industry as well as the most widespread.
     “I do believe we’ll loose some business at first,” says Blackbird employee Chris Avirett. “New businesses in Milledgeville are like crack.”
     However, Avirett added that most of the business Blackbird receives is from the college and run-off from other businesses downtown to begin with.
     Located off of Highway 441 at the corner of Roberson Mill Road, the Starbucks is being constructed in the parking lot of the Milledgeville Mall.
     When students were asked whether they believe Starbucks will draw business from Blackbird, the location was the main topic of concern or the lack thereof.  Many students believe that because of the remote location Starbucks will have little effect on the downtown café.
     Rebecca Hattaway, a sophomore at GCSU, agrees.  She believes most students on campus are not likely to drive into town just for coffee.
     “I think that Blackbird will be unaffected.  Blackbird has a good atmosphere and it has a good location.”
     Atmosphere was another comparison made by many students when asked their opinion.  Brian Wood, a senior, says that above all else Blackbird will always have a better atmosphere than Starbucks.  “It’s just much more laid back.  Starbucks has those tall stools; Blackbird has couches.  It’s just chill.”
     Yet, not everyone is completely in Blackbird’s corner. Wood continued that he knows many people who live by Lake Sinclair who go into town each morning to get coffee. With Starbucks on the way there will be no need for this crowd to continue into downtown Milledgeville.
     Katelin Fendt, another senior at GCSU, says that Starbucks has better coffee and she would much rather make the drive down Highway 441 for it.
     “I enjoy Starbucks’ frappacinos. I’m glad it’s coming. I enjoy Blackbird’s coffee though. Starbucks is very addictive. It has lots of caffeine,” says Fendt.
     So when it comes to coffee, maybe Blackbird is beat, but they can always rely on their good location and comfortable atmosphere as well as their community events that they have almost every day.
     Davis Stine, a sophomore, comments on this, “I don’t drink coffee but I enjoy socializing at Blackbird. There is always something to do or someone to talk to.”
     Whatever the outcome, Starbucks is on its way and it is probably going to be here to stay. As senior mass communications student Whitney Fazio says, “Starbucks is taking over the world.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 21 2007. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry