4A - THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
OPINION
FRIDAY,FEB.15,2002
FACEOFF
Will corporate coffee drown the local scene?
If you don't like Starbucks take your dollar elsewhere
Starbucks opened a store at 647 Massachusetts St. in December 2001. The company paid its federal, state and local taxes and fees. It pays its rent, providing the owner of the building with income. It pays its employees, providing them with income. It provides yet another coffee choice for customers in downtown Lawrence. Additionally, an occupied, busy store is considerably more attractive than an empty storefront, a problem most small towns like Lawrence battle constantly.
So what's the problem?
COMMENTARY
Audrey Snyder
opinion@kansan.com
Some Lawrence residents and University of Kansas students apparently would rather see an empty storefront at Sixth and Massachusetts streets. They dislike what they call the "invasion" of corporate-owned stores in Lawrence; their attention has been focused
on stores such as the Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, both 647 Massachusetts St., and Starbucks. They fret that these kinds of businesses will compete with locally owned downtown shops and that they will win. They fuss that the addition of national chains to Massachusetts Street will change the character of downtown Lawrence, making it less unique.
These critics overlook many aspects of the issue.
These critics overlook many aspects of the issue. Corporate-owned businesses play the game just like other shop owners. They don't invade viciously, forcing themselves upon the city and upon consumers. Corporate businesses pay licensing fees and city taxes just like locally owned stores. They employ locals and college students, just like stores owned by locals.
Competition is the name of the game. This is a business and economics no-brainer. There are quite a few coffee shops downtown. Somehow, they've managed to coexist for some time. This is why it's unlikely that mom-and-pop coffee shops will be driven out of business by one chain store.
Starbucks is simply another competitor in the game. This shouldn't be a problem, even if one more coffee shop proves to be one too many. When there is more supply than demand, the seller offering the best value or product wins. It has been argued that rent costs for local businesses will rise if corporate-owned businesses compete for shop fronts, because national chains are more able to pay high sums for rent than are local businesses. If this does happen, it will either burden landlords with empty stores and force them to change their rates, or prices in those stores will rise to compensate for the rise in
rent. If their products are better or more varied or if consumers find others to entice them to buy higherpriced items, this problem will work itself out.
But what about image? If Starbucks and the Gap are permitted into the sacred business arena of Massachusetts Street, will downtown Lawrence become synonymous with the Country Club Plaza? It is unlikely that Lawrence residents and students will cease to patronize all of the stores that make the downtown area unique. After all, local shops and their unique goods are what critics of chain stores say Lawrence wants. It's even less likely that the hemp hippies will ever leave the intersection of Ninth and Massachu
setts streets.
No one is forcing you to spend your money or to drink your coffee at Starbucks. The wonder of our free (well, semi-free) market is that the consumer uses his dollar as his vote.
It's a really simple concept. You vote by spending your money at the stores where you receive the best product or selection, the best customer service, the best ambience or the best price. You are therefore voting for that business's continued existence.
efer purple sofas, soft
Some of the best and most unique local businesses, from Papa Keno's to the Love Garden, can be found on Massachusetts Street.
Coffee corporation can't fit with character of Lawrence
If you prefer purple sofas, soft jazz music and yuppies, go to Starbucks. If you like smoky, dark places with local artists' work on the walls and a hippie playing a guitar, go there. If you don't like Starbucks, don't go to Starbucks.
Part of what makes Massachusetts Street so great is the wide variety of shops and services provided along a relatively short stretch of area. From clothing to food to toys to an array of services, Massachusetts Street provides something for just about everyone.
TALL DOUBLE MOCHA LATTE, SKINNY
Snvder is a Shawnee junior in political science.
With the uniqueness of Massachusetts Street and its amazing diversity, one would think any new business would be unplanned.
Unfortunately, a new business has graced Lawrence with its presence on Massachusetts Street, and it threatens the diverse coffee shops, which make the street so notable. This business is the corporate coffee entity known as Starbucks.
because of competing businesses.
My objection to Starbucks is not a protest against corporate entities. Stores such as the Gap and Abercrombie & Fitch, both 647 Massachusetts St., are looked at negatively by many, but they do contain clothing items unique and different from other clothing stores in Lawrence.
The protest against Starbucks, also 647 Massachusetts St., arises out of the potential loss of culture. With Starbucks present on Massachusetts Street, a great deal of culture could slowly dwindle away.
This is not an anti-competition essay, either. It is wonderful when consumers can get a great deal
One of the greatest aspects of the Massachusetts Street area is its selection of coffee houses. Whether the shop of choice is Henry's, 11 E. Eighth St., The Java Break, 17 E. Seventh St., or Milton's Coffee & Wine, 920 Massachusetts St., the atmosphere is unique and contains a variety of different people. Many KU students love these coffee shops, and it is easy to see why.
Unfortunately, none of those shops are household names outside of Lawrence. Therefore, new
area will probably not be looking for these shops when searching for a cup of coffee.
Enter Starbucks.
COMMENTARY
Starbucks is a name most of us are familiar with, making it easy to find in phone books and easier to trust for quality because it is a
James Manning opinion@kansan.com
uniform chain. This leads to many people never bothering to try other coffee merchants in the area.
It is a shame, too. While inside Starbucks, all I could think about was the artificial, plastic atmosphere.
I could not bring myself to finish the latte I ordered. Instead I found myself longing for the intellectual chatter at Henry's, or the fun of looking at used clothing in Java Break. I missed the cozy atmosphere shops like that provided. And while the latte wasn't bad, it didn't hold up to the quality of the local shops.
Starbucks in Lawrence just doesn't make sense. It doesn't hold up to the uniqueness and character the city offers. Although Starbucks does not differ much from Borders Books Music & Cafe, 700 New Hampshire St., at least the latter offers hard to find books and music. Sadly, future entrepreneurs who may have considered opening more unique, locally owned coffee houses may shy away because of Starbucks' presence.
If we love the local coffee houses and want to see them continue to thrive, we must make sure we tell others about how great they really are. Invite friends to go have a coffee and let them see for themselves what they have been missing.
And if you have not tried one of the local places, give it a shot. They are a great place to meet people, and the coffee is excellent.
Do not let a faceless entity ruin the personal touch that makes Massachusetts Street special.
Manning is a Liberal graduate student in communication studies.
KANSAN.COM POLL
Question: Do you think Kansas basketball will go undefeated in the Big 12?
79. 4% Yes
Do you think Starbucks is evil or innocent? Go to kansan.com to cast your vote. Poll results will be published next Friday
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Senate right to follow own rules deny blood drive money
Denying advertising money for the KU Blood Drive was the right thing for the Student Rights Committee of Student Senate to do.
Senate rules and regulations stipulate that any organization that receives money from Senate must be open to all students. Sexually active gay men are not allowed to donate blood. Thus, they are excluded from this activity even though they can participate in other capacities, such as volunteering.
Senate allocated advertising money to the blood drive in the past. But by not allocating the $906 for advertising costs this year, members of the Student Rights Committee set a good precedent.
The lines are clear. Senate should not be allowed to give money to any organization that is not open to all students according to its own rules and regulations. This is because the money Senate allocates to student groups comes from the students. It is unfair to make students pay fees, only for those fees to be allocated to something in which they can't participate.
Justin Mills, student body president, said at the committee meeting last week that the blood drive unfairly discriminated against gays. The restrictions on who can donate blood are misguided and outdated. Males who have had a homosexual experience since 1977 are qualified from
donating blood.
Diseases transmitted through blood, such as AIDS, don't just strike gays. But blood donation restrictions won't be changed because a Student Senate committee in the middle of Kansas decided to take a stand.
The Food and Drug Administration sets the guidelines regarding who can donate blood. It's not enough for members of the Student Rights Committee to fail the bill to allocate money to the blood drive. They should write letters to those in charge of the policy. They should have stood next to members of Queers and Allies when they protested the policy at the blood drive last semester. The fight shouldn't end at a Senate committee meeting.
Those of us who are eligible should give blood, and the Student Rights Committee should be applauded for not giving student money to an activity that discriminates against certain groups of people.
Members of the Student Rights Committee don't want students to throw the baby out with the bath water. The blood drive is an important cause, and we should all contribute to the blood drive, Feb. 25 through March 1, at one of the locations on campus.
Brooke Nesler for the editorial board.
864-0500 free for
Free for All callers have 20 seconds to speak about
any topic they wish. Kansan editors reserve the right to omit comments. Slanderous and obscene statements will not be printed. Phone numbers of all incoming calls are recorded.
to speak about
Why is the headline "Fraternity sued over death" when the actual content of the story says the University, fraternity and parents are being sued? Why would a fraternity be implicated and no one else?
For more comments, go to www.kansan.com.
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Yeah, I just wanted to say that the crossword is my motivation, and you guys have been slacking lately. Come on, the same crossword two days in a row. Yeah, I need some diversity. Oh, and Drew Gooden is my god.
dent Senate and the blood drive, the survey didn't ask about AIDS. It asked about homosexual activity. If you don't see the difference you've got bigger problems than the fact that you completely missed the Senate's point.
dent Senate and the blood drive, the survey didn't ask about AIDS. It asked about homosexual activity. If you don't see the difference you've got bigger problems than the fact that you completely missed the Senate's point.
Cigarette are good because they give you cancer, and that helps you die faster.
dent Senate and the blood drive, the survey didn't ask about AIDS. It asked about homosexual activity. If you don't see the difference you've got bigger problems than the fact that you completely missed the Senate's point.
To the guy who wrote the color guard editorial on Tuesday, you're just an idiot looking for an excuse because you hate athletics.
Whoever is in charge of the crossword needs to be fired.
They keep screwing it up.
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Pot: my anti-drug.
To the person who called in the comment regarding Student Senate and the blood drive, the survey didn't ask about AIDS. It asked about homosexual activity. If you don't see the difference you've got bigger problems than the fact that you completely missed the Senate's point.
Hey, I was just wondering why Abo & Jake's was like Free State High School tonight. I mean, how am I supposed to get any if all they offer is jail bait?
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Robert Chamberlain and the Daily Kansan are the only things that make me ashamed to be a Jayhawk.
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I just have one word for Robert Chamberlain: relax.
Am I the only person thinks that having a real job would be easier way than college, because you just get to hang out after 5:30 instead of staying up until two in the morning doing Business 240 homework?
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Drew, I've got five boxes of cereal riding on you staying next year. For the love, man, you've got to stay.
Hey, I'm in the art and design department, and I don't quite fit in, so I think I'm going to go complain to the dean about something.
Yoah, so the Canadian skating team got screwed over by the judges at the Olympics. I think we all have to ask ourselves one question: What would Brian Boitoan do?
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Do I have to sing a song or just say stupid movie quotes to not in the Free for All?
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Hi, I'm calling for all the people who are calling about the lack of attendance in the "Tongue in Beak" section, it's satire, look it up.
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Hi, I was just thinking, isn't that a bad,Depressing day when the only e-mail you get is from yourself?
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Who cares if the tuition is raising? All the important people are graduating.
Money does not sleep. Why do you?