The news of the acquisition of Coffee People by Starbucks makes me sad as my favorite local coffee chain is going to be converted into Starbucks stores. I will miss both the Black Tiger coffee and the free Wi-Fi
Of course, Coffee People hasn’t actually been local for awhile now anyway.
Yep, ‘strue. They were a victim of thier own ambitions; when CP decided to go regional they wound up imploding, collapsing as a result of corporate Marfan’s Syndrome-they grew too far, too fast, and left a weak middle.
Diederich Coffee tried makin’ them all corporate and uniform and nixed that when customers started deserting them. So, for a few happy years, we could live in a sort of denial. I know we did (hey, I won’t lie).
I will become necessary in the near future to make a pilgrimage to Jim & Pattys over on Fremont I think. Wish they’d open a Baja Gresham branch, but they seem happy with just the one store now. So it goes.
I meant local in terms of Portland-area not local in terms of ownership. I wasn’t living in Oregon until after Diederich bought them out so I don’t know what I was missing – I just liked the ambiance and coffee better than your run of the mill Starbucks.
Anyone have any coffee house suggestions for those of us in the Western suburbs?
What’s even more depressing is that, as a result, they closed down the downtown location– it’s across from a Starbucks. They did have good stuff.
Peet’s is pretty good, Jon.
Hey Erin,
I love Peet’s coffee but unfortunately the closest location to us is in Bridgeport Village – not exactly close enough to replace the local Coffee People as my favorite coffee hangout.
Oh goodness… i just read about the news. Terribly backdated. I lived in Portland for awhile the in the late 90s, and absolutely loved Coffee People – the wonderful staff and ambience, and yes, CP’s coffee. Am saddened by this piece of news.
Of course, Coffee People hasn’t actually been local for awhile now anyway.
Yep, ‘strue. They were a victim of thier own ambitions; when CP decided to go regional they wound up imploding, collapsing as a result of corporate Marfan’s Syndrome-they grew too far, too fast, and left a weak middle.
Diederich Coffee tried makin’ them all corporate and uniform and nixed that when customers started deserting them. So, for a few happy years, we could live in a sort of denial. I know we did (hey, I won’t lie).
I will become necessary in the near future to make a pilgrimage to Jim & Pattys over on Fremont I think. Wish they’d open a Baja Gresham branch, but they seem happy with just the one store now. So it goes.
I meant local in terms of Portland-area not local in terms of ownership. I wasn’t living in Oregon until after Diederich bought them out so I don’t know what I was missing – I just liked the ambiance and coffee better than your run of the mill Starbucks.
Anyone have any coffee house suggestions for those of us in the Western suburbs?
What’s even more depressing is that, as a result, they closed down the downtown location– it’s across from a Starbucks. They did have good stuff.
Peet’s is pretty good, Jon.
Hey Erin,
I love Peet’s coffee but unfortunately the closest location to us is in Bridgeport Village – not exactly close enough to replace the local Coffee People as my favorite coffee hangout.
Oh goodness… i just read about the news. Terribly backdated. I lived in Portland for awhile the in the late 90s, and absolutely loved Coffee People – the wonderful staff and ambience, and yes, CP’s coffee. Am saddened by this piece of news.