First of all, if Starbucks was LOSING business from cyclists, they wouldn't have a full crowd and turning people away. Starbucks is a bike friendly business, and because of that, they get more business. They aren't stupid.

Second, there's like a Starbucks on every freakin' corner in the entire northern Illinois area. That doesn't even count the independent coffee shops. Some dumb schlep slackjaw yokel that can't figure out how to get to the nearest coffee shop for the tourists by just walking down to the other end of the block shouldn't be leading tourists. If you can't find a coffee shop, you are an idiot. Oak Park has a ton of those shops. That's why I like Oak Park.

She's an idiot too. She's also a lazy slob. She's probably in her car too, and she drove all of 2 blocks, passing numerous other coffee houses along the way, and when she gets to the starbucks on Lake, she totally ****zes out because people aren't parting the seas like Moses when they see her. She needs to get real. If she's freaking out over Starbucks being filled, I'd hate to see her in a real crisis.

Finally, her silly condescending tone about us taking ourselves someplace else makes her sound like a blithering idiot. What she ought to do is take herself home if she can't handle bicyclists or walk to the other coffee house 30 yards down the street.

Honestly, people like her are what make me think that people CAN really be that stupid.

Koffee

We have the same problem with swarms of cops and contractors at Dunkin Donuts. :p

Amen to that.

I am confused by this stereotypical commenter. If every seat is filled, how is Starbucks losing business. Maybe this closed-minded person thinks Starbucks should chase away business so one particular customer can be accommodated. Many repeat customers is good business.
Maybe someone should leave anti-car leaflets (or stickers) under the wiper blades of automobiles, but then that would only escaulate the situation. Maybe I will forget about this and ride my bike to the store.

"Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded."
-- Yogi Berri

Sounds like she should have a gripe with Starbucks for having too few seats.

These would include her. ;)

Thank God! It's about time that somebody stood up for the rights of tourists to travel to a new town, to explore new surroundings, and to drink an over-priced coffee exactly like the one they drink at the Starbucks back home. I'm sure people in Somalia share their sense of injustice.

Okay, I've not posted here before, but this thread is making me....

What a bunch of sanctimonious pricks you all sound like.

“she must be a fat SUV driver”

I’m a new cyclist. I’m also fat and an SUV driver. Does that mean I deserve the same scorn that you are heaping on people who do not happen to share your enthusiasm for a particular sport?


I am learning to bike; I am also learning to ski, am a certified scuba diver and a professional level singer. None of those things makes me better than others who don’t choose to join me in my activities and none of them give me the right to be cruel, judgmental and self-righteous.

It is considered common courtesy when at a restaurant that is particularly busy to not “camp” at your table after you have finished your refreshment. But, I suppose common courtesy is not common in this forum.

Why does it matter that they are cyclists? Isn't the problem that they are lingering over their drinks too long? (I'm not a coffee drinker -- how long is the expected linger time?)

Sounds like if they drove their cars in instead, they could occupy most of the available parking spaces in the neighborhood. Would that be better?


Paul

Doesn't matter if its a fat ass driver, a cyclist, pedestrian or tourist. People are free in this country to buy a cup of coffee and sit at the table, an hour isn't bad. I've seen tables here be used for way longer. If she has a problem, she needs to contact Starbucks to see whether they have a table limit or enforce it and whether people are paying customers. Theres a billion starbucks, plenty of them right across the street from one another since starbucks goal is to get both traffic directions. Shes more than welcome to go elsewhere. After all, thats another freedom, freedom of choice.

Yeah, the problem she has is not that they're cyclists - that just happens to be the group she sees there. She's just annoyed that people are taking up tables for longer than she thinks they should. Who knows if she's right (I don't live in that area, can't vouch for how long people stay there), or if she should just get there earlier.

Wow, tell that to all the people at my local Starbucks who are using the free wireless to work all day. Nobody at Starbucks seems to be shushing them away.

Don't worry, you'll get used to our snotty attitude. :D

I don't think Starbux/shareholders are complaining.......I've been watching their stock steadily climb for the last 5 years.....

And for this reason, they won't impose table limits. If the money comes in, why change things. Start pissing customers off, money goes away.

Thank you.

Welcome to the forums Ms. Klein.

...still thinking... :p

Starbucks has free wireless?

I know where my next post will come from.

And if you see Jennifer Klein, ask her if she would like your seat when you are through :p

A coffee house is not like a regular restaurant. A good coffee house =welcomes= people to linger with things like free wireless access, cushy chairs and newspapers.

Secondly, the fact is SUVs are =bad=. You don't have to like it, and you can rationalize it all you like but for a whole host of reasons they are anti-social, bad for the environment, unhealthy, and frivolous fashion statements.

Finally, I'm sure most of us applaud your efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle with skiing and cycling. Welcome to the fold.

How the hell has this topic turn in to yet another anti-SUV thread?
Where in the article did it say she was both fat and driving a SUV? How do you know she didn't walk there? Maybe she was some skinny swimwear model on a photo shoot!
I agree she had no right complaining about cyclists taking up the seats. But she's no different to many members of this forum complaining about SUVs on the road whilst feeling they can still justify driving themselves or heating their homes in winter.

She could bring her own (heavy duty rated) chair in her SUV that would rock.

Maybe they were trying to find the Starbucks 'The way I see it' cup #43b

How about this Jen, how about YOU meet at a friend's house for coffee and hang out there. That way, you won't get annoyed at all the cyclists who are sitting at SB enjoying a coffee.

Or how about you making coffee at home; or don't you know how to do that? See all you need to do is buy a coffee pot, coffee, add water, and wait.

Jen, you're a real b****

Weight Watchers meetings have coffee. They serve it at Krispy Kreme too if you're going the other way. Just sayin'