Starbucks reopens tomorrow - FREE COFFEE 8am-noon

[ron_newman]

The Davis Square Starbucks will reopen tomorrow (Friday). They are giving away FREE COFFEE to anyone who shows up between 8 am and noon.

The new layout is considerably larger than the old, and has a very long communal table stretching across about 2/3 of the shop. There are still a few comfy chairs.

EDIT Friday 1/29, 11:40 am: Apparently they weren't letting anyone inside, just giving away free coffee on the sidewalk outside -- and not even that after about 10:30. My apologies to anyone who made the trip and was turned away disappointed. Not a great way to start anew, Starbucks.

Comments

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I don't drink coffee, but it's hard to resist a freebie. ;)

Do they still have a fireplace?

[ron_newman]

Yep, fireplace is still there.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

Free pastries too, at least when I was there at 8:15. :)

[ron_newman]

When I went there at 10 am there was free coffee outside but you couldn't go in. Did they let you in?

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

No, I got my coffee from the same shivering baristas outside. They had some boxes of mostly-thawed pastries with them.

That's cruel...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

I mean, the poor barista outside... Hope he/she got paid extra for having to stand outside in the cold.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

This certain sounds like something useful for laptop users or people just stopping in. I'm curious to see what they've done.

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure about that... do the big communal tables have electrical outlets? I've looked in through the windows a few times but didn't notice any.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

They could be under the table and hard to see from the street. I guess we'll find out today!

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Their small, 6 person table did.

[unferth.livejournal.com]

Hmm.

My objection to Starbucks has always been that they mistreat their coffee terribly (hint: it's not supposed to taste like charred dirt) but it might be worth a visit to at least see how much their new decor is ripping off Curious Liquids.

So true...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

They think people are idiots and they think that the bitter and the better (I know, coffee IS bitter, I like bitter coffee; but I don't like charred dirt bitter!). Seriously, I wonder if some of the coffee they serve poses a health hazard. Burn coffee may be as carcinogenic as most other burnt substances...

Re: So true...

[unferth.livejournal.com]

I guess there's an audience for the ultra-dark roasts, but they're just not for me.

In my book, Mr. Crepe has the best coffee in the square these days (Rao's), with the Diesel a distant second. They used to be better, but the Intelligentsia stuff is not as clean-tasting as their old supplies. There's more oil in it, or something. Further afield, True Grounds in Ball Square is decent but slightly murky.

Re: So true...

[ron_newman]

Pike Place is Starbucks' less-dark coffee.

Re: So true...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Do you really think it's intentional? I'm not sure. At times, they make coffee that is just right. Many other times it really sucks. I suspect something may have to do with not cleaning the machine properly, or something else due to incompetence. I may be wrong...
Oh, did I say that once, at Starbucks, there was an entire little plastic faucet in my caramel macchiato?? It must have fallen out of the machine... That was at one of the Harvard Sq places....

Re: So true...

[unferth.livejournal.com]

The usual explanation is that Starbucks deliberately over-roast their beans, because it makes them keep better and give a more consistent experience regardless of transportation. So they're kind of the coffee equivalent of the tasteless-but-durable tomatoes many restaurant chains use.

But if what you're fond of is an ultra-dark roast, I gather Starbucks will give that you to consistently.

[starry83.livejournal.com]

If they do get a Clover machine in Davis as I think someone mentioned, you can choose from more types of beans and each cup is made individually.

[teko.livejournal.com]

There's a Clover. I saw it through the window. JOY!

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

Personally I've always found Diesel's coffee to be terribly burnt. I greatly prefer Starbucks'.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I showed up at 9, but the doors were locked, blueprints sat on dusty tables, and a sign in the window said "grand opening at 12pm!"

[eanja]

I went by at 11:15, and same thing. Two signs on the door- one said free coffee 8-12, the other said opening at 12.

[ron_newman]

I showed up at 10. They were giving away free coffee outside on the street, but not letting anyone in.

My apologies to anyone who read my post, went there, and was disappointed. Maybe the construction is taking longer than they expected?

Diesel across the street was jampacked.

Hahah! Diesel was jampacked because

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

of all the people who went to Starbucks for their free coffee and then had a craving for coffee to satisfy!

[syntheticnature.livejournal.com]

That's exactly it, the baristas told me this morning. The contractors were supposed to be out by noon yesterday so the Starbucks staff could move their stuff back in, but the staff didn't get in until 6 pm yesterday and the contractors were still doing last minute wrap-up stuff this morning. Not a huuuuuge slip but still inconvenient.

Well, they'll have to have another

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

free coffee morning now! A real one. Won't they?