Sans Starbucks, baristas banter

TAHOE CITY — People are really particular about their morning start, and coffee drinkers can be very demanding when it comes to their early cup of joe. Not only the coffee itself counts, but the whole ritual the drip involves. That’s where local baristas share their talents in helping folks wake up.

Recently, Starbucks Corporation, an international coffee and coffeehouse chain, announced they would close 600 stores across the country, including one in Tahoe City.

We asked this to local baristas in Tahoe City:

Do you think Starbucks opening a year ago affected the coffee shop business that you work at? Do you think their closing will bring more costumers to the coffee shop you work for?

Iris Wilson, Coffee Connexion

“No, because our local costumers are loyal to our coffee and their preferences. We might have missed a few local customers but nothing that impacted much. I think we will benefit from it, we will get all the tourists, the ones we missed before, back.”

Mark Lobell, Gear and Grind Coffee

“I haven’t worked here long enough to figure if it has impacted our business, but honestly I don’t think it was that popular around here anyway.

“I hope we get more people. Today we’ve actually had costumers before noon, which is unusual. I don’t know if is related to their closing or not, but we were, for a weekday, busier today. Hopefully we’ll keep up.”

Kelly, Syd’s Bagelry

“No. We get the locals around here. They already know our drinks and what to order. We also sell foods that Starbucks didn’t do as well as “dollar beer” every day, so it didn’t affect us at all.

“I noticed that we’ve been getting some different crowd since they closed. We know is their crowd because of their orders, things that usually they would get there.”

Rachel Rivera, The Dam Cafe

“No. We get a good amount of service.

“Yes. I didn’t know that Starbucks closed and I was wondering about that. We did get a espresso rush on Saturday ... and that was definitely Starbucks style of orders. I used to go to Starbucks when I travel; it’s a standard and I know it’s always open late.”