By David Spunt Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
On Wednesday, Starbucks announced it will close 600 stores nationwide, in part because of a slumping economy. News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!It's too early to tell exactly which locations will close. How are the smaller coffee shops reacting to the decision? News 3 spoke to a local coffee shop owner.
“It's an agricultural crop just like tomatoes or onions or peas or beans and you take that and turn it into something that's totally different enjoyed by almost the entire population of the globe,” said John Woodward, owner of Columbus Coffee Company.
Woodward opened his North Columbus shop with a dream, to serve the best coffee while making the customers happy. The local atmosphere changed within the last few years as three Starbucks opened up in Columbus.
“It opens up the market and makes a market for a well done specialty grade coffee wider than it was before,” he said.
The news of Starbucks closing 600 stores nationwide has people talking. Woodward says with high gas prices and a slumping economy, it was bound to happen.
“They probably should have done this a while back,” he said.
While he admits the economy is suffering, he's not worried about Starbucks hurting his business or people spending less on coffee. In fact, he has a surprising attitude.
“I think spending four dollars for a latte that's hand crafted fresh roasted coffee, that gives you pleasure, is a good way to combat the feeling of 60 dollars at the gas station on a tank of gas,” he said.
It's too early to tell whether his Starbucks competitors will soon close their doors. No matter what happens he says he'll keep on brewing.
“It's going to be a rough time ahead, but we're ready,” he said.
