How about Pinkberry, Red Mango, Chipotle, the proliferation of ramen and Asian fusion restaurants, and Momofoku joints, in the EV?

Coldstone? really? I only see on at Astor Place/EV.

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As for the one in Cooper Union...does anyone remember what it was called before it became a Starbucks? It only changed over in 99 or 00, and I believe the name started with a P.

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Starbucks locations close all the time. It means nothing. Earlier this year, when they announced they were closing 500, or whatever it was, everybody reacted as if it was a sign of the times. It wasn't. This is what they do. It's actually part of their business plan. When they opened two Starbucks in Astor place, they did so with the knowledge that one of them would be closed after some amount of time. Starbucks targets areas that have several independently owned coffee shops. They then open several stores nearby without any regard as to whether all of their stores will be profitable. In fact, they expect some to operate at a loss. They do this because Starbucks can afford to continue operating a store at a loss for several years; independently owned coffee shops cannot. Flood the neighborhood with coffee options, make it impossible for any of them to turn a profit, and use your assets to keep your stores open until the competition is forced to close. Once that happens, close unnecessary stores.

It doesn't sound like that was what prompted the closing here, but I'm sure that's what prompted them opening in such close proximity.

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But I only ever order one thing when I go these days: Cafe Americano with half & half. That's pretty much the best thing you're gonna get out of that place.

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I have never been inside a Starbucks in my entire life and I never intend to. Cafe con leche from the Cubans, FTW.

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