Starbucks Challenge, second chance
Visiting the same coffeeshop two days in a row feels conspicuous. I never want to become one of those people you see at a coffeshop who never leave (and probably never tip either). But yesterday's attempt at buying a cup of Fair Trade coffee left me unsettled. Give me outright rejection, but don't leave me hanging like that, not knowing the answer.
October 21, 8:45 a.m. - Starbucks Coffee, 1000 Merchant St
I get a different cashier today, and lean in, conspiratorially, "Here's the deal. I'd like to get a cup of Fair Trade certified coffee. Is that possible?"
She turns partway around to see if maybe a big urn of Fair Trade had materialized while she had her back to it. Just as quick, she looks over my shoulder at the whole bean display. Turning to her barista, she asks, "Sarah, do we have Fair Trade?" Sarah hands her a cup tray. "Fair Trade," she repeats.
I jump into the exchange, already apologizing, "I just want a cup of Fair Trade coffee. I understand that you might have to use a French press and that it's kinda a hassle."
"We're all out of Fair Trade. It wasn't selling, so we stopped ordering it, " explains Sarah the barista. "I just placed our coffee order yesterday, but I can order some next week, so that two weeks from now if you come in you can have a cup."
"No, that's okay, you don't need to order it just for me."
"It isn't a problem. I can order it. What's your name?" And that started a conversation, first with Sarah, and then with Morgan the cashier, off on the side of the store. We talked about Fair Trade, and how mainland attitudes about it are so different. We talked briefly about Starbucks payscales and benefits. We talked a while about the care and maintenance of dreadlocks.. We talked about the positive (or negative!) impact a company of Starbucks' size can have on the massively complex process that brings a cup of coffee to downtown Honolulu.
In the end, I didn't get my Fair Trade today, but I'm glad I asked. There are two staff in the store who were eager to engage the ideas, who will greet me by name from here on, and who will start ordering Fair Trade again for future drinking.
Hey Alan
Unlucky but you got some great info from them...engaging the world is surely the best way to change it. Have added that post to our feed.
Namaste
Al
Hi alan,
I have no doubt that in Seattle this would have gone as rehearsed. I know Seattle. I also buy from tons of other places, here in Italy it's "un caffe" and that's it.
Al- yes, it made a small, small difference. Thanks for stopping by!
Gia- "Morgan" said the same thing. In Seattle, it wouldn't have been a problem. You may only have a choice of "un caffe" for drip in Torino, but I'll bet your espresso variations are amazing.
For the record, Starbucks in Hawaii are an owned and operated by Coffee Partners Hawaii http://starbuckshawaii.com/ .
It might be worth it to contact them directly to find out their policy re: Fair Trade Coffee.
Other Starbucks franchisees in Hawaii (that I know of) are: Barnes and Noble (owned and operated by B & N) and the Honolulu Airport Starbucks (owned and operated by Marriott, I think).
There are no Starbucks owned and operated stores in Hawaii.
Ginabina- I am curious enough that I might just have to do that Thanks for stopping by!
Update: Starbucks now has full ownership of all stores in Hawaii (and Puerto Rico):
http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=639
I can't believe I hadn't heard that, but it does appear that Starbucks has bought the local stores off Coffee Partners Hawaii. I wonder if that was timed with the end of a franchise contract term, or just a nice exit strategy. Either way, Hawaii has been brought under wing. Thanks for that info!