If napa valley roasting company has a better product and better prices, what is there to fear from starbucks

Robert, as someone who owned a coffee shop in Portland Oregon, Starbucks strategically targets great local coffee shops and takes half the business instantly. They have more resources. Our coffee shop won many awards, but it couldn't stand against the Bucks. Plus do we really "need" a 8th Starbucks in Napa?

I agree with Matt Jackson's comment above. That said, I do love my coffee and don't mind other coffee options downtown (if it must be). My wife and I love Peets and lately Blue Bottle Coffee Company. They are smaller (at least Blue Bottle). On the other hand, does downtown really need another coffee joint? How about something else? Hmmm....let's see: Apple computer store, Restoration Hardware/Pottery Barn, etc.,

In response to Robert, I would say that it is difficult for local companies to compete with nationwide chains because they get better volume pricing on the main product "Coffee" and they mostly control that with contracts they have. I like local business and think that is not an appropriate spot for a Starbucks. I don't think they should be barred from having a SB downtown, just not fair to a long time, local coffee house like NV Roasting. I think perhaps over on 3rd street towards ABC Bakery would be a better location

I, as a supporter of small business, think that starbucks doesnt need a downtown location. i see this as blatant attempt to steal business from the roasting company.

Update: There's a fifth freestanding Starbucks that hasn't yet been added to our directory, but is at 1200 Lincoln Ave. at Jefferson across from Napa High School.

This isn't a protest......tomorrow we are having a meeting to discuss next steps.

Thanks, Alex; I look forward to hearing what they might be. Meanwhile, I am definitely hearing some protesting voices on the Facebook page today.

Thank you for the help!

Milton Friednam is rolling over in his grave. I belive in the Free Market. Yes, protest but do not get government involved. We shold have the freedom to compete.
If the Roasting Company is good it will compete and survive. Protest by not going into Starbucks do not make laws preventing the Free Market from existing.. It may not be FAIR but it is the Laessez Faire that should rule not government protectionism for a partricular business. It reminds me of the cheap barber shop with a sign that said $5.00 haitcuts that opened next to a nice Hair Styling place .. The hair Stylist owner did not run to the local government to complain but simple put up a sign the said "We fix $5.00 hircuts." .

Starbucks used as an example in this video-lecture: "You're not just buying a cup of coffee...you fulfill a full series of ethical duties" http://youtu.be/hpAMbpQ8J7g

I do not want to see a Starbucks there.

Milton Friedman was out of touch with real economic struggle. He justified some of the most heinous atrocities committed against working poor people in order to defend a broken economic theory.

We, as a people, have the right to determine what type of businesses we want in our community. We do not have to be subjected to corporate rule, lest we relinquish our power as a people. We do not have to tolerate artificial and oppressive "rules" of Laessez Faire. We can construct our own economic systems based on principles that benefit us, as a people, and not corporate tyrants motivated by only a desire to maximize profits.

People who adhere to the dogma of Laessez Faire would have us relinquish our sense of self-determination as a poepel.

Julio,
Slavoj Zizek is great. I would much rather live WITHIN an economic system based on Zizek's ideas rather then UNDER an economic system based on Friedman's ideas.

Power to the People? Sounds familiar. Seems I heard several communists groups shout that in the 60s. Our republic may not be perfect but it works incredibly well for the overall good of a free people... better than any other. But better is a matter of opinion. Better to some is a control of our lives, including our businesses, from cradle to grave and a redistribution of wealth. I will not change the minds of the socialists, ultra liberals and Karl Marx lovers nor can these arguments change my core beliefs and principles nor my love for freedom, for less government and a better world. I am a very charitible and humanitarian person. The bleeding heart libertarian in me stil is fascinated yet annoyed with those who say "there ought to be a law".

Typical. Instead of addressing actual points, you go straight to labeling poeple communists, without even explaining what communism is.

One in seven Americans are living in poverty. The social fabric of our society is being dismantled by cuts to social programs, increases in college tuition, and fees to use what are suppose to be social services. All this while the top 1% accumulates more wealth.

Is this what it looks like when the "republic" is working "well for the overall good of a 'free people'"? People need to reclaim their DEMOCRACY!

Living in poverty, being denied access to eudcation, housing, food, health care, and other human rights, is that what freedom looks like under capitalism.

Freedom to starve, to remain ignorant, to die of sickness, to live without a home, those are the freedoms granted to us under the current system.

True freedom is understanding our social responsibility to those around us by constructing social systems, in the spirit of self-determination, that benefit those within the society.

True freedom is having access to education, health care, and housing.

True freedom is not standing idle while a huge corporation destroys a local business, thereby limiting options people have to shop at.

Charity is insufficient. We need a system in which poverty would be an impossibility.

Since when is wanting to support a local business and keep a giant corporation from destroying them a "communist" value? Geez.

Also Starbucks on Lincoln Ave is a 18 minute walk, 6 minute bike ride, or 3 minute drive from Downtown Napa. Just saying.

I feel it only fair that in this " free market" philosphy being tossed around that competing cable tv companiies be allowed to open up business. Comcast's monoply has allowed it to rip off northern Calif for too long!!!

By the way has anyone checked out the map of starbuck locations in the Napa,Vallejo, and Sonoma Counties, You cant swing a live Barista in any direction without hitting one. I have to believe with amount of caffine fueling local drivers, road rage must be at an all time high! Happy Holidays

Downtown Napa is a ghost town, if ANY company that offers decent jobs and pays its employees benefits wants to open here, why would we want to stop them? Revitalize the area, create more jobs and entice more tourists to visit the area and spend money. What positive change to the area is "Occupy" bringing to the revitalization of the area? That's right, NOTHING.

"Downtown Napa is a ghost town, if ANY company that offers decent jobs and pays its employees benefits wants to open here, why would we want to stop them?"

This has got to be one of the most frightening statements I have ever read. We should let ANY corporation open up here? Even if this corporation is threatening local businesses, undermining the unique character of Downtown, and sucking up business opportunities that could be given to local businesses to revitalize the LOCAL economy? Not to mention the devastating impact Starbucks is having across the globe.

We should let ANY corporation open up Downtown? No standards? Nothing. That is chilling.

I choose to not shop at Starbucks anymore. I will go without. Starbucks has every right to put the store there. But, hopefully we have every right to voice our distaste over ultimately, the lack of corporate classiness. Dr. Fenderson, you might open a dental practice right next to your competition, that would be perfectly fine. Free Market in fact. But, if you opened 12 in a 7 year period with motives to squash the other dentist: you might be a jerk. Right? Starbucks business model doesn't include local competition. Free market needs competition!

Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga have no problem supporting their community to keep corporate out. How come we can't do the same, or at least choose what is good for OUR community and LOCAL economy!? Sad!

Hi everyone: Poll update!
A Patch user on Facebook has said the original yes-no poll did not include an option for those with no opinion.
So today we have a third poll option, "I don't care."
As always, comments are welcome, we only ask that you not attempt to conceal your identity by posting under a false or assumed screen name.
Thank you all.

As a reporter who's covered the city for more than a decade, I can't agree that downtown Napa is a "ghost town." That hasn't been true for years, especially now. Shops and restaurants are opening all the time and foot traffic is not only busier than in past years, but younger.
Just this morning I interviewed one of the sponsors of the sales tax measure that created the flood control district and she told me that downtown has turned around "far better than (she) ever envisioned."

The declared goal of the Starbucks chain founder was "To become the MacDonald's of Coffee" and he has succeeded admirably. MacDonald's has successfully put out of business thousands of local hamburger and short-order stands. There are three thriving local businesses that have earned their way in Napa, paying taxes, providing services and I will even support the smoke shop even though I think smokers are committing slow suicide (amply supported by medical evidence). There are only three existing Communist countries today that still tout themselves as Communists: Cuba; Norther Korea; and...China. How many Made in China objects in your home, Dr. Fenderson? In your dental office? We are in the 21st Century. The power to the people cries of the 60s were primarily against the Viet Nam War. And they were right. Even the government admits that. Calling people names doesn't solve the problem of a megacorporation once again putting Mom and Pop LOCAL businesses...out of business. Just a reminder: Starbuck's and Starbuck owner is/are a member of the ONE PERCENT! Merry Christmas all, Happy Hanukkah, and Ommmm.

Has anyone asked the owners of the coffee roasting company if they mind a Starbucks coming? Maybe Starbucks will bring more coffee drinkers downtown and then more people will learn of the Coffee Roasting Company. Will I go to Starbucks over Coffee Roasting? No. Will my friends? Some yes. Will it promote Coffee Roasting Co. to be more stimulated to be the local first coffee company and do more for the community to stand out as the local's choice? Who's to say how the economic benefit will change? Do we change culture by attacking one corporation, that now owns Peets, too? What do we spend our time on? Are we ignoring the fact that the Obama administration just tossed out the constitution by authorizing the arrest and permanent detainment of American citizens? What do we want to spend our time on? Are we forgetting that millions of Americans cannot get access to a vital medicine (cannabis) and doctors cannot get the full research done of the medicine because the Obama administration is still obsessed with the war on drugs and will not reduce Cannabis from a section 1 drug? Where will change come from? Are we looking for leaders to run for election on our city council who will support a diverse economy, liveable wages, education, etc? Has anyone been looking at the taxes being raised, how the city is being run? Are we increasing our support of neighborhood organizations and neighborhood issues? Have a wonderful holiday all!

Lowell, if you have information that Starbucks bought Peets, please share it ASAP. There's been nothing in the news since some rumors of a merger earlier this year.

Letter to the editor in today's Register: http://napavalleyregister.com/news/opinion/mailbag/starbucks-isn-t-the-right-fit-for-downtown-napa/article_479b7380-2d23-11e1-8304-0019bb2963f4.html

I'm not certain that we can keep a formulary business out of downtown. We have several there already. Avia hotel, Norman Rose, Annete's, Napa Valley Roasting Company, Cole's chop house, Subway, Ace Hardware etc. each of these businesses are technically formula because they are corporation owned and/or more than one exists. I object to changing the architecture and character of our downtown, such as what Starbucks would want to build and what has already been allowed to Talbotts. If Starbucks is allowed I don't want their brand-looking building on the corner of Main and First. In Business competition stinks, but it is a reality that business owners face and should always be prepared to meet head on.

The opponents of a downtown Starbucks are now circulating a petition and have formulated a statement with a series of demands: http://patch.com/A-pQTF

As a "native" of San Luis Obispo, I remember when downtown SLO desperately needed to be revitalized. I recently found this 2008 article on Downtown Survival to be interesting: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PL/Housing/Downtown+Revitalization/Downtown+Revitalization+Strategies.pdf. The author suggests that a revived center will need 1) a sense of place, of history and of meaning and 2) keeping the downtown business district authentic with local merchants who sell unique products and services AS WELL AS "ubiquitous chains" found in typical communities. Perhaps...just perhaps...we need (and already have, as Lisa suggests) both. Many local residents express a longing for some of the classic chain stores. On the other hand, would I want one of my "chain store" competitors setting up camp right next door to my businesses? I'm not opposed to competition, but I can't say that I would be a happy camper in that scenario.