Starbucks arrives in Little Colombia (Jackson Hts, Queens)

morphus says on Apr 3, 2008, 09:40:

Progress has to be made. I find Starbucks to be high quality.

Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 10:14:

That sucks, I wish they would have opened a Juan Valdez instead.

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

rhydewithdis says on Apr 3, 2008, 10:31:

Gracias for this post. I missed it in my daily reads of the nytimes/wsj.

I live close by there - my Salsa classes are on 75th St and 37th Ave. I'll drop by here and hang around to chat up some nice Colombianas or Indian girls (since this area is just as much Little India) =)

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

Rubito says on Apr 3, 2008, 10:46:

We have a Juan Valdez in Times Square you know. I had a nice cup there on Saturday.

Jackson Heights is no longer Little Colombia. It's mostly Ecuadoran and Mexican now. Many Colombians have moved out of NYC in the past 5-6 years.

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 10:55:

Yeah, the new Little Colombia is Kendall, just southwest of MIami.

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

Rubito says on Apr 3, 2008, 11:00:

Or Bogota and Medellin :P

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 11:21:

The only thing I get at Starbucks is the white mocha, I never get coffee.

I always wondered about Kendall since I've never been to Miami. Is it nice? Or is it just as dirty and icky as Jackson Heights?

Diana

Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 11:46:

Mononoke,

Jackson Heights looks like the third world compared to Kendall.

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

Colombiche says on Apr 3, 2008, 11:50:

I have been going to Queens regularly for the past 7 years or so and on every trip I find "La Rusbel" to be getting increasingly mexican. There are still lots of colombian places la antioquenita, Cositas Ricas, Tierras colombianas, Pollos Mario...and the place near 47th where they sell those amazing cholaos (the one with the pink panther sign). .

I also notice that the independence party at el parque de flochin seems to get frequented by dominicans, puerto ricans and ecuadorians (colombian wannabe's) :D :D

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 11:57:

Simon, this is not news~ Kendall has been a Colombian enclave going back 15 years or so. One strange thing I find when Kendall residents describe their neighborhoods is always about how nice it is yet if you go south from sw 8 st all the south to Kendall drive(88st) you will see 1000s of Houses with Bars on the Windows and Electronic Security signs in the yards. Kendall is FAR from Crime Free as is neighboring Westchester.They have their fair share of Homicides. While a lot of Colombians live in Kendall, they are not like the Cubans or Haitians who have neighborhod strongholds like Littel Habana or Little Haiti. Colombians tend to be be scattered out all over the place in south florida. from Homestead north to Weston and all places in between.

Monoke, Kendall is a somewhat Sterile Suburb with Cookie Cutter Look alike Ranch style homes and condos and not having a central downtown area unless you consider malls El Centro.

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

Colombiche says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:03:

Enough colombians/colombian places around Collins avenue, once you venture a couple of dozen blocks north from the south beach area.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:06:

I love my Miami..."this is paradise, I'm tellin' ya. This town like a great big 'chicken' just waiting to get 'plucked'."

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

darkangel305 says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:19:

whatabout weston , Florida?

Colombiche says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:19:

Ja ja ja Simon, me sorprende que admires a Scarface, esa fue una de las primeras peliculas en pintar a los colombianos como unas bestias.. no te acuerdas de la escena de la motosierra.... uf.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Rubito says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:21:

Simon is full of contradictions :P

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:22:

Sí, pero esa película hizo quedar peor a los Cubanos, je je.

Weston is still known more as 'Westonzuela'.

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

Colombiche says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:23:

Aaaaaah entonces mal de muchos, consuelo de tontos?

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:34:

"Simon is full of contradictions."

Hey Rubito...."I always tell the truth. Even when I lie." Jajaja!

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

Simon says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:39:

"no te acuerdas de la escena de la motosierra.... uf."

Me encanta esa escena!

"Hector the Toad: You want to give me the cash, or do I kill your brother first, before I kill you?
Tony Montana: Why don't you try sticking your head up your ass? See if it fits"

Classic stuff!!

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

durito says on Apr 3, 2008, 12:47:

"Progress has to be made. I find Starbucks to be high quality."

Starbucks is most certainly not high quality coffee.

rhydewithdis says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:04:

Could someone explain to me why Starbucks is not high quality?

As far as I understood, they source and import the best coffee beans from Colombia, Costa Rica, etc.

Is it the beans they use versus other cafes? Is it their process of making the actual coffee (what the barista does)? Is it their machines?

Sorry but I'm just not a big coffee buff, so I can't really tell the differences.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:13:

I wanna go check out Kendall. I love my suburban lifestyle here in Highlands Ranch, uppety some say, but I love it.

Now, if I could mix that up with some Colombian peeps, that would be heaven for me. But if it's like "La Rusbel" as Colombiche said, then no thanks!

Diana

rhydewithdis says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:19:

I live nearby La Rusbel (two blocks away actually)... what's wrong with it?

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

Mononoke28 says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:24:

What's NOT wrong with it? It's dirty, it's packed, it's loud, just like El Hueco in Medellín. I have family who lives there and I counted at least 5 freaking rats when I was there. Summertime is the worse. It's just horrible.

Diana

Colombiche says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:26:

Where near La Rusbel do you live rhyde.... do you live on Yonson bubelar?

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 13:55:

rhydewithdis says on Thursday April 3rd, 2008 13:04:

Could someone explain to me why Starbucks is not high quality?

As far as I understood, they source and import the best coffee beans from Colombia, Costa Rica, etc.

Is it the beans they use versus other cafes? Is it their process of making the actual coffee (what the barista does)? Is it their machines?

Sorry but I'm just not a big coffee buff, so I can't really tell the differences.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I never seen a technical explanation given here on PBH as to why Juan Valdez Coffee is any better then Starbucks,,I see claims but nothing concrete. Concerning Social Responsability(which is often touted here) Starbucks uses Fair Trade beans to help out native coffee bean farmers. Does Juan Valdez do the same? Does JV offer their Employees good benefits and Health Insurance?

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

durito says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:07:

Starbucks mixes a little good coffee with a whole lot of crap and passes it off as the good coffee.

Surely you can taste the difference. (assuming you haven't filled your cup with milk and sugar, in that case might as well drink nescafe)

miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 14:53:

Durito--do you have Actual proof of this or is it your personal opinion? I never heard of this and if Strabuck's competitors had proof of it, they would have sued in US Courts I am sure. That's like "Bait&Switch" which is highly illegal...

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

durito says on Apr 3, 2008, 15:07:

Sued for what?

It's called a blend for a reason.

miamimike says on Apr 3, 2008, 17:49:

From the way you wrote it, it sounds like you are saying Starbucks intentionally misrepresents its coffee for something its not. Blend is stated on the Bag and I'll wager a bet some of the coffee sold in the Juan Valdez Coffee Shops is also blend. Many coffees are a Mix and a good blend enchances the taste of a good cup of coffee. Blends do Not infer Weak Coffee by any stretch of the taste,,,

"BLENDING IN:
MAKING YOUR OWN COFFEE BLENDS
******For truly fabulous coffee, use more than one kind of bean******



http://www.samcooks.com/flavor/coffee_blends.htm

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

MitchAlvarez says on Apr 3, 2008, 17:56:

i go there all the time.

i like the idea of a juan valdez instead .

Tengale miedo a una huelga de mujeres o a una escacez de aguardiente. :)

Rubito says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:09:

Starbucks, starbucks, also known as Charbucks

Why do you burn your coffee muthafuckas?

There's some poetry for the day!

Mononoke if you think that's bad, that's one of the CLEANER areas of NYC! You should see the rat problem in the Bronx or the Lower East Side, even in what are now totally gentrified neighborhoods!

Morphus, did you hit yourself on the head with a barbell again? ;)

---Violence is the price of freedom.---

morphus says on Apr 4, 2008, 05:22:

Rubito, roasted coffee beans make the best tasting coffee. I drink French Roast without sugar or milk. I don't want to kill the phyto nutrients :)

rhydewithdis says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:33:

at Colombiche
I live in the 50's (st. wise) of La Rusbel

at Mononoke
There are lots of parts surrounding Roosevelt Ave that are very desirable to live. North of Roosevelt Avenue between 76th St. and 81st St. (between 35th and 37th ave) is officially landmarked by the city. If you are on the South Side of La Rusbel, then yes, I understand some of your concerns. The population has a much higher density, mainly owing to the subdivision (illegal) of houses into rooms that are shared amongst many folks with lower incomes.

But don't forget the other half is "a designated New York City Historic District by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. It comprises large Garden apartment buildings (the term was invented for buildings in Jackson Heights) and many groupings of private homes." and "Jackson Heights is among the first garden city communities built in the United States, as part of the international Garden city movement at the turn of the last century. There are many private parks (historically called gardens by the residents) within walking distance of each other. They are tucked in the mid-blocks, mostly hidden from view by the buildings surrounding them. Several approach the size of Gramercy Park in Manhattan, and one is slightly larger. Unless given an invitation, entry is restricted to those who own a co-op around its perimeter. The basis for the private ownership of the parks of Jackson Heights is derived from its founding principle; as a privately-owned little garden city, built largely under the oversight of one person. The historic section of Jackson Heights is the more affluent part of the neighborhood." (from wikipedia)

Apartments in the historic district go for about 350-400/square foot (i.e. about 400k for a two bedroom 1,000 sq ft co-op with maintenance charges of around 600-900/month). This is by no means a cheap area.

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

Man Tequila says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:37:

The Kid From Brooklyn tells it like it is, about Starbucks.

pues se me antoja que sus cantares son de una tierra desconocida, y yo le dije si a usted le inspira, saber la tierra de donde soy... con mucho gusto y a mucho honor...

elmodefoque says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:51:

7 fokin dollars for fokin coffee and a fokin pound cake! jajajajajajajajajajajajaj

Tinto (Moderator) says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:54:

Ah! The pound cake episode! Excellent!

In February I was killing time wandering around the Newark, NJ airport. I was on my way to Colombia and debating whether it would be a good idea or not to eat a "gut bomb" Nathan's Famous Hot Dog and Fries before the six hour flight. On my way to the food court, I pass a coffee shop with pound cake displayed under one of those glass cake covers. No joke: Involuntarily, the words "piece of fuckin' pound cake" roll from my mouth. Thanks to Elmo (for posting that video long ago), I'm now another crazy guy in New York, walking around muttering to myself...

El Polo says on Apr 4, 2008, 07:59:

I just want a fokin coffee, milk & sugar please!!!

Ctg Bound says on Apr 9, 2008, 08:24:

I always have thought Starbucks coffee is crap compared with a good quality Colombian coffee shop.

I have no idea why, but I expect Durito reason is true.

rhydewithdis says on Apr 9, 2008, 08:52:

at Rubito who said "Starbucks, starbucks, also known as Charbucks"

Starbucks is set to begin selling a "smoother" — read: non-burnt — cup of coffee at all company-owned locations this morning. CEO Howard Schultz told the Journal the new roast is meant to "reinvent brewed coffee." Ah, so now properly roasting your beans makes you a revolutionary. That must be why the press release calls this day "historic" and the roast itself "historic." What could possibly be more hyperbolic than that? Oh, right, a brainwashed barista on StabucksGossip.com saying this will save the lives of children. I almost forgot!


http://gawker.com/5005201/starbucks-geniuses-to-stop-burning-coffee-th...

They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.