some kudos to starbucks

I've been hearing a lot about how Starbucks is taking a second look at their company and trying to re-brand themselves, err, rather re-brand their old-brand. Apparently (and I whole-heartedly agree), they have strayed too far from the things that made them popular in the first place and are eager to change.

Not only have they upped their prices and added breakfast foods to their menu, but they've also gone from preparing drinks individually and by hand, to using automatic machines to prepare espresso drinks (you know, push a button and out comes the coffee). Basically, they over-charge you for crappy coffee and a lousy atmosphere.

Well, now Starbucks is pulling the breakfast foods, adding $1 coffee to the menu and may even be offering free refills. Oh, and they're scaling back on the number of new stores they open each year.

I'm tickled pink that finally, a big corporation realizes that maybe they've gotten just a tad "too big," and are actually scaling back to save the integrity of their brand. Sure, a local coffee shop beats Starbucks any day, but this is at least something.