Just wondering…
…Everyone is saying the news regarding Starbucks shuttering hundreds of stores is about the economy. But I can’t help but wonder if, in addition to the clear over-saturation of the market (not to mention the poor quality of their always-burnt coffee) Starbuck’s is not only known but mocked for, Starbuck’s was or expects to be negatively affected by the federal minimum wage hike. 
In addition to providing primo healthcare for what are, in essence, snappily-named though mostly smarter than average retail staffers, the company is sure to be hit by the government-mandated, market-unsupported higher wage has contributed to this more than anything else.
Allowing government to mandate wages is never, ever a wise idea. It’s inexcusable, stupid, and who does it hurt? Those who need the entry-level jobs offering the minimum wage or wages close to it the most. Thanks, Congress, for screwing things up again. Whatever would we do without you? Succeed or something?
In the long run, though, it behooves us all to remember that Dunkin’ Donuts (despite their inexplicable choice of Rachael Ray as spokesvarmint) and Caribou Coffee have far better beverages, and without the snob factor to boot. Besides, you simply have to love a coffee shop that puts stuffed-animal heads on the walls like trophies.
(Unfortunately, we have neither place within 75 miles.)
For kicks, here’s a clip mocking the virus that is Starbuck’s from Christopher Guest’s Best In Show.
2 comments
Mmmm… Caribou Coffee (well, I don’t like coffee, but they have excellent cider!!!). I’d just mentioned this week about the affect of the minimum wage hike. Seriously, I know that “families of four” can’t live on minimum wage … but how many people with families actually WORK for minimum wage (unless maybe they are uneducated or simply unwilling to work)?
The Starbucks video had me rolling! I occasionally stop there because there’s nothing else in our neck of the woods, but you know that if you add enough hazelnut syrup and cream, just about anything is tolerable. LOL There is a nifty little coffee shop in our community (http://www.javajazzcoffeeandtea.com/501.html) that makes a tasty cuppa’ joe, and it’s locally owned and operated, more’s the blessing.
As far as the minimum wage thing goes, there probably are people who support their families on minimum wage because they don’t have the training to do otherwise and they pick up extra shifts, or work more than one job. Having said that, I don’t think companies should be forced to pay a mandated amount … I would think that there are some start-ups out there that would like to hire people in order to grow (being a small business owner myself, I know that I could do a lot more business with an extra set of hands), but frankly can’t afford to hire someone else without going into debt or forgoing their own small paycheck to pay the employee. Does that make sense?
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