POLL: Do You Prefer Starbucks Over the City’s New Cafes?
It was announced yesterday that Starbucks is opening its largest store in the world in the base of Rafael Viñoly’s forthcoming Meatpacking District building at 61 Ninth Avenue. The 20,000-square-foot facility will be a Roastery-branded store, “part of a push to bolster growth with larger locations that offer experiences to customers,” reports Crain’s. The decision may be due to the fact that Starbucks is facing increased competition from regional and local coffee shops, many of which roast their own beans or include information about bean origin. But it looks like the chain store‘s growth isn’t slowing; thanks in part to its rewards program, Starbucks’ stock rose 27 percent over the past year. The new mega-store won’t open until 2018, which gives New Yorkers a couple years to figure out their java preferences — big-name corporation or local cafe?
Images: Rendering of 61 Ninth Avenue by Rafael Vinoly Architects (top); Park Row via photopin cc (L); Cafe Grumpy via Refinery Hotel (R)
