Comments on: StarBucks coming to Portugal http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/ Ramblings about digital life Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:47:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Anna http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-38638 Anna Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:37:51 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-38638 It’s interesting to hear what a debate the arrival of Starbucks has sparked here in Lisbon. Personally I don’t think that anyone goes to Starbucks for the outstanding quality of the coffee. However, what it will finally offer is choice. A place where if you choose you can go and sit in a comfy armchair with friends, a newspaper or a laptop and actually relax and take your time over a LONG drink (whether its coffee, hot chocolate or a refreshing frappuccino in the summer) and an alternative to the traditional Portuguese pastries if you’re feeling peckish. I don’t think that this experience is comparable to standing in a more hectic traditional Portuguese cafe gulping down a quick bica – this is and will remain I have no doubt, the first choice for those wanting their urgent authentic Portuguese coffee fix. It’s also finally a place where people can go and get a long take away coffee in a paper cup – a novel concept here where you get a strange look if you ask for a disposable cup to take away! There are an increasing number of alternative style coffee shops opening in Lisbon offering a different take on the traditional Portuguese cafe and these seem to be doing extremely well – the Austrian KaffeeHaus in Chaido for example, or the recently opened Go Natural outlet in the BES building next to Marques De Pombal . As far as I know the first Starbucks will be opening in the Alegro shopping centre in Alfragide in October (why there I have no idea as this seems the most unlikely place for the concept to take off as I have never seen any foreigners or tourists there). I hope that the other two outlets (if it is indeed two) are more centrally located - Chiado would be ideal – although anywhere too close to A Brasileira I have to agree, would leave more than a bitter taste in the mouth... It’s interesting to hear what a debate the arrival of Starbucks has sparked here in Lisbon. Personally I don’t think that anyone goes to Starbucks for the outstanding quality of the coffee. However, what it will finally offer is choice. A place where if you choose you can go and sit in a comfy armchair with friends, a newspaper or a laptop and actually relax and take your time over a LONG drink (whether its coffee, hot chocolate or a refreshing frappuccino in the summer) and an alternative to the traditional Portuguese pastries if you’re feeling peckish. I don’t think that this experience is comparable to standing in a more hectic traditional Portuguese cafe gulping down a quick bica – this is and will remain I have no doubt, the first choice for those wanting their urgent authentic Portuguese coffee fix. It’s also finally a place where people can go and get a long take away coffee in a paper cup – a novel concept here where you get a strange look if you ask for a disposable cup to take away!
There are an increasing number of alternative style coffee shops opening in Lisbon offering a different take on the traditional Portuguese cafe and these seem to be doing extremely well – the Austrian KaffeeHaus in Chaido for example, or the recently opened Go Natural outlet in the BES building next to Marques De Pombal .
As far as I know the first Starbucks will be opening in the Alegro shopping centre in Alfragide in October (why there I have no idea as this seems the most unlikely place for the concept to take off as I have never seen any foreigners or tourists there). I hope that the other two outlets (if it is indeed two) are more centrally located - Chiado would be ideal – although anywhere too close to A Brasileira I have to agree, would leave more than a bitter taste in the mouth…

]]> By: Pedro http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-38588 Pedro Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:35:48 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-38588 "Starbucks"...simplesmente the best coffee house EVER!!!! Já estive nos Estados Unidos da America e em Londres e...não há nada como ir a um Starbucks e beber o belo do "Caramel Hot Chocolat"...ou entao o "Frapucciono of Strawberies and cream"! Fico à espera de novas noticias acerca da abertura do Starbucks em Lisboa!! “Starbucks”…simplesmente the best coffee house EVER!!!!
Já estive nos Estados Unidos da America e em Londres e…não há nada como ir a um Starbucks e beber o belo do “Caramel Hot Chocolat”…ou entao o “Frapucciono of Strawberies and cream”!
Fico à espera de novas noticias acerca da abertura do Starbucks em Lisboa!!

]]> By: ross http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-38174 ross Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:28:37 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-38174 i found this conversation because i was looking for some information bout sbux in europe. I just want to say that in Italy we still have cappuccino espesso...but we don't have any starbucks.italian people is too traditional with their coffe momenet to can love so crazily a place like starbucks. and a coffe as starbucks one!I am working in one of them in dublin, here people is addict! in italy a starbucks could exist only in a very touristic place! enjoy your coffee! i found this conversation because i was looking for some information bout sbux in europe. I just want to say that in Italy we still have cappuccino espesso…but we don’t have any starbucks.italian people is too traditional with their coffe momenet to can love so crazily a place like starbucks. and a coffe as starbucks one!I am working in one of them in dublin, here people is addict! in italy a starbucks could exist only in a very touristic place! enjoy your coffee!

]]> By: Pedro http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-38169 Pedro Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:58:19 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-38169 To be honest, I Like SB although i think portuguese cofee is far better. The SB value is confort, space, those wonderful brownies and the wonderful frapuccino... These qualities will never match the portuguese "esplanadas" anyway ... To be honest, I Like SB although i think portuguese cofee is far better. The SB value is confort, space, those wonderful brownies and the wonderful frapuccino…

These qualities will never match the portuguese “esplanadas” anyway …

]]> By: Pedro http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37875 Pedro Mon, 26 May 2008 23:14:59 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37875 Mahlerfan, I can relate to what you write: part of the traveling is about experimentation, true. Travel without it would be a less than great experience, a nice experience but certainly not as great. However there's also another thing.. for those you aren't afford to travel as much as we do, and trust me there's a lot of people in Portugal who can't, having foreign brands coming over is also an opportunity to try different cultures without leaving their 'normal' places. Once again I believe that in the middle is the right choice, I'd hate to see the Traditional Lisbon with it's coffee's and 'esplanadas' go way, but I honestly believe they can and should co-exist. Mahlerfan, I can relate to what you write: part of the traveling is about experimentation, true. Travel without it would be a less than great experience, a nice experience but certainly not as great.

However there’s also another thing.. for those you aren’t afford to travel as much as we do, and trust me there’s a lot of people in Portugal who can’t, having foreign brands coming over is also an opportunity to try different cultures without leaving their ‘normal’ places.

Once again I believe that in the middle is the right choice, I’d hate to see the Traditional Lisbon with it’s coffee’s and ‘esplanadas’ go way, but I honestly believe they can and should co-exist.

]]> By: Mahlerfan http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37874 Mahlerfan Mon, 26 May 2008 23:04:21 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37874 While I am a frequent customer of Starbuck's here in the states, and have become accustomed to the company's "Starbuck's on every corner" philosophy, it is a bit disheartening to see that this same philosophy is now materializing in Europe on a grand scale. London, Madrid, Barcelona... you can't go more than a couple of blocks without seeing a Starbuck's or one of the many other fast food joints that dot the American landscape. One of the nice things about my recent trip to Lisbon was a complete absence of the proverbial "home away from home." No Starbuck's, no Burger King, no McDonald's, at least in the central part of the city (Beixa, Barrio Alto and Alfama). It gave me the opportunity to try the local cuisine, but more importantly, I had the sense I was really in a foreign land, not a "Little Portugal" section of some amorphous American city. While I am a frequent customer of Starbuck’s here in the states, and have become accustomed to the company’s “Starbuck’s on every corner” philosophy, it is a bit disheartening to see that this same philosophy is now materializing in Europe on a grand scale. London, Madrid, Barcelona… you can’t go more than a couple of blocks without seeing a Starbuck’s or one of the many other fast food joints that dot the American landscape.

One of the nice things about my recent trip to Lisbon was a complete absence of the proverbial “home away from home.” No Starbuck’s, no Burger King, no McDonald’s, at least in the central part of the city (Beixa, Barrio Alto and Alfama). It gave me the opportunity to try the local cuisine, but more importantly, I had the sense I was really in a foreign land, not a “Little Portugal” section of some amorphous American city.

]]> By: Meul http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37739 Meul Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:47:22 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37739 Hey guys! I'm living in the UK for the past 6 months (more or less) and working for Starbucks for about a month now. About the company coming to Portugal, I believe no such thing will happen as a starbucks in each corner, as it happens in Manhattan for example. It will only be like a Cup & Cinno or whatever. A fancy place to go with friends and enjoy fancy drinks. So don't fear about Brasileira lolol, nothing will happen. Yesterday, I went for a learning and development centre from starbucks in London and I was told by a district manager who is working there for 7 years, that they are opening stores in Bulgaria and Portugal. Lisbon is their first aim. And pedro, you are right. Paper cups are only for people in rush and for take away. The customers may want to choose a ceramic mug to enjoy their drink. And btw, I'm 100% portuguese, and i love our "home country expresso" and I can tell you their expresso is shit. But i have to admit, on the other hand, they make really tasty drinks. Hey guys! I’m living in the UK for the past 6 months (more or less) and working for Starbucks for about a month now.

About the company coming to Portugal, I believe no such thing will happen as a starbucks in each corner, as it happens in Manhattan for example. It will only be like a Cup & Cinno or whatever. A fancy place to go with friends and enjoy fancy drinks. So don’t fear about Brasileira lolol, nothing will happen.

Yesterday, I went for a learning and development centre from starbucks in London and I was told by a district manager who is working there for 7 years, that they are opening stores in Bulgaria and Portugal. Lisbon is their first aim.

And pedro, you are right. Paper cups are only for people in rush and for take away. The customers may want to choose a ceramic mug to enjoy their drink.

And btw, I’m 100% portuguese, and i love our “home country expresso” and I can tell you their expresso is shit. But i have to admit, on the other hand, they make really tasty drinks.

]]> By: miguel http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37569 miguel Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:32:39 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37569 starbucks will never buy Brasileira or any other coffee place, because SB goes to other countries as a joint venture, it's not even a franchiser. about the real coffee... well, talk to any italian that have been to portugal and they will say that BICA sucks and that the only really coffee is in italy. how about that to our ego? most portuguese say they are coffee lovers but they are not. Most of them are adicts that just drink their bica in 10 seconds. Is that the way to enjoy a coffee? I don't think so. Personnally i like to drink a not-so-strong coffee and in a big cup and have time to REALLY enjoy it. my favorite drink in SB(i'll try to remember the name): Mocca-chip Frappuccino with whipped cream) -- summer drink starbucks will never buy Brasileira or any other coffee place, because SB goes to other countries as a joint venture, it’s not even a franchiser.

about the real coffee… well, talk to any italian that have been to portugal and they will say that BICA sucks and that the only really coffee is in italy. how about that to our ego?

most portuguese say they are coffee lovers but they are not. Most of them are adicts that just drink their bica in 10 seconds. Is that the way to enjoy a coffee? I don’t think so.

Personnally i like to drink a not-so-strong coffee and in a big cup and have time to REALLY enjoy it.

my favorite drink in SB(i’ll try to remember the name): Mocca-chip Frappuccino with whipped cream) — summer drink

]]> By: Ana Lorena http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37314 Ana Lorena Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:56:15 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-37314 The first Starbucks I had in my life was in Heathrow Airport, England, while waiting for an airplane to take me to Canada. I had always heard from it and I finally had the chance to actually taste a drink that, for americans, was so normal. Although I approve the multinacional coffeehouse to open in Portugal, I think that it's quality is far from the coffee we already consume here. They tried to open one in Italy and with some events they quickly dropped that idea, and it's a little surprising to me that that hasn't happened here. I also hope that someday they won't buy the Brasileira, a place I truly treasure, and transform it into a Starbucks-signed coffeehouse, and take our Fernando Pessoa statue down. The first Starbucks I had in my life was in Heathrow Airport, England, while waiting for an airplane to take me to Canada. I had always heard from it and I finally had the chance to actually taste a drink that, for americans, was so normal.
Although I approve the multinacional coffeehouse to open in Portugal, I think that it’s quality is far from the coffee we already consume here. They tried to open one in Italy and with some events they quickly dropped that idea, and it’s a little surprising to me that that hasn’t happened here.
I also hope that someday they won’t buy the Brasileira, a place I truly treasure, and transform it into a Starbucks-signed coffeehouse, and take our Fernando Pessoa statue down.

]]> By: Jorge http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-35968 Jorge Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:27:24 +0000 http://blog.centopeia.com/2006/08/11/starbucks-coming-to-portugal/#comment-35968 Everybody knows Portuguese are extremelly picky about their coffee! Personal opinion: I don't think this is a great move for Starbucks. They won't easily get the 'Starbucks in every corner' (not sure it's their intention either though) unless there's some dramatic change in prices and offer (which I highly doubt). It may succeed though in low numbers... more like an attraction then something that will take over the market. I mean they'll be competing agaisn't coffee that is second nature to the portuguese culture (not to mention the already extremelly common coffeeshops, with added awesome pastries to the mix, and so on) and not just is the price difference extremelly steep but the common Starbuck prices are way off a regular portuguese budget. Personally I like having a few Starbucks in Portugal, one I might go every few months or so (definitely not on a daily/weekly basis) just for my fix of Caramel Macchiato (on a mug I insist), hmmmmmn. Everybody knows Portuguese are extremelly picky about their coffee!

Personal opinion:
I don’t think this is a great move for Starbucks. They won’t easily get the ‘Starbucks in every corner’ (not sure it’s their intention either though) unless there’s some dramatic change in prices and offer (which I highly doubt). It may succeed though in low numbers… more like an attraction then something that will take over the market. I mean they’ll be competing agaisn’t coffee that is second nature to the portuguese culture (not to mention the already extremelly common coffeeshops, with added awesome pastries to the mix, and so on) and not just is the price difference extremelly steep but the common Starbuck prices are way off a regular portuguese budget.
Personally I like having a few Starbucks in Portugal, one I might go every few months or so (definitely not on a daily/weekly basis) just for my fix of Caramel Macchiato (on a mug I insist), hmmmmmn.

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