Starbuck's -- Back on Track?

Starbucks new concept store, 15th Avenue Coffee & Tea.

I admit it. I like following the Starbucks story. A few days ago, the New York Times ran a story featuring their latest concept in retail (shown above), which includes selling beer (did I read that right?). Then today I saw a report that their instant coffee, Via, was selling well (and I can't believe I read that, either).

Regardless of what you think of ol' Starbucks, what they have accomplished is incredible and may never be repeated in the retail food business again. The numbers: 20 years / 15,000 stores / 10 billion dollar annual revenue. Not too shabby.

I have been a critic in the last couple of years, but they deserved it. Their latest, always-on-tap Pike's Place coffee is terrible, -- but more to the point, they built too many stores, over-extended their product line, and they were hemorrhaging cash.

Founder, Howard Schultz has returned in the hopes of turning things around. And things are looking up a bit. They are encouraged by the success of Via Instant, which I thought was a bad idea, but which was a profitable part of an otherwise unprofitable year. They have their Clover machine being tested, which, rumor has it, makes a fantastic espresso, and they even have redesigned stores like the one picture above, that are doing well.

I'll always support the locally-owned coffee shop, but for some reason, their life expectancy is pretty limited around here. Let's hope the folks at House do well, Starbucks' success or not.

House Coffee Bar. Welcome.

The purpose of this post is to add to the other announcements being made about the new coffee bar in downtown Fort Worth , House Coffee Bar. I have been now twice and have Jake to thank for bringing it to my attention via Twitter.

House Coffee Bar is in one part of a beautifully renovated building that also houses a recording studio and a Church. You'll have to ask them how it's all connected. The coffee is good, the people are very hospitable, and the coffee shop itself is comfortable, inviting, and a showpiece in downtown renovation.

The House website, takes you to their Facebook page, linked here. From their Facebook page:

The idea of a coffee bar is simple, people drink coffee, so we should make some! What's with the name? We call it 'The House' because we want it to be just that, your house! We want you to feel at home, welcomed and relaxed as you enjoy great music and great coffee.

House Coffee Bar
915 Florence Street
Fort Worth, TX

Steak-Out

I was asked to pass on this Valentine Day's offer from Steak-Out, the new steak-dinner delivery company on West Berry. I have not tried it, but I have to say, I like the idea. From their website:

Since the first day we fired up our grill, we've always held our food to the highest standards possible. That's why it's always prepared fresh daily. And why it's always fire-grilled with our special seasonings just the way you like it.

Sometimes the last thing you want to do after a long day is cook. So why do it? Give Steak-Out a call instead and we'll fire up whatever you and your family have a hankering for. You can just sit back and relax while we deliver a hot, complete meal right to your door.

I wish any new business well, especially one that's giving Fort Worth more food choices. Let us know if you have tried it, I will be soon.

Steakout
2209 West Berry Street
Fort Worth,  TX 76110
817-924-8585
Fax: (817) 924-8590

More Dieting Wisdom.

My typical weight loss cycle:

1. Stand on scales, look in the mirror, or notice waist buttons popping.
2. Decide to lose some weight.
3. Start eating correctly, start exercise regimen.
4. Continue for a whole two days.
5. Weigh myself, again.
6. Get mad that I have gained weight.
7. Say, the hell with it.
8. Have a bowl of ice cream with granola sprinkles.

Red Box Genius.

I made my first Red Box rental last week. I am a "late adopter" to the big, red video-rental boxes, now seen and used everywhere. I liked it. I never was a Blockbuster guy, and can't say that I'm sorry that with NetFlix, and now Redbox, their time has passed.

What is interesting to me is that this Redbox idea is so un-high tech.

It reminds me of the "paperless office" of 1980, which didn't really get started until a couple years ago. It took a while for vision and reality to meet. Redbox figures that the "little while" for ubiquitous streaming video is long enough for them to rent a bunch of videos.

They are betting that on demand voice/data/video, in the house, phone, and car, is not YET economical and convenient enough. And that people will still be wanting to pick up a DVD and return it -- if the price is right. They are certain enough to invest in and distribute over 20,000 boxes nationwide, each filled with a couple hundred DVD's. My guess is that their guess is right for at least another five years, though it may not matter since they passed 100 million video rentals a couple years ago.

So here's to the guys who saw an opportunity to use inexpensive technology and a well organized plan to make a couple of bucks. One dollar, one day, what an idea.

I like the Red theme, too.

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P.S. -- Nothing is perfect. My first Red Box rental netted me an empty disk holder, that is, no DVD, which I dd not notice until I tried to watch the video. But their customer service was perfect.  I was quickly refunded my dollar and offered a free video next time I rented. All by email. In less than 24 hours.  God, I love this country.