what a treat

I love the Mom and Pop coffee shops of the world, but as I have written a bunch before- I love a Starbucks too. The army of Starbucks stores have housed me for hours at a time, always provided me with clean bathrooms, gifted me free refills and 99% of the time consistent drinks and smiles. In addition to the above, I’ve met and networked with hordes of interesting and funny people I would’ve otherwise never met. (Lets face it- everyone goes to a Starbucks at some point.) I’ve spent hours in their cozy overstuffed chairs and never once gotten eyed to get the hell out already because I have overstayed my welcome. For someone that spends a lot of time on the road. This is a huge deal.

Now add a couple other bonuses:

1.) As of Thursday 7/1/10- Starbucks offers free unlimited WIFI at all it’s stores. For anyone. No registration or extra finagling required, just log on and work away.

2.) During the next few months of summer when you grab your coffee in the morning, Starbucks gives you a “Treat Receipt” that lets you come back after 2pm and get any grande (medium) sized cold drink for $2. I don’t know about you, but I rarely let myself buy the regular chocolate-mocha-frappa-yumma-sugar rush iced whatever on a hot day. Well, for $2 and any amount of extra shots, sugar and kitchen sink they can throw in that affordable price and I’m all about it.

***Don’t forget also that any day, year-round when you go in for a drink and bring your own cup (hot or cold and it doesn’t have to be Starbucks branded) you get 10 cents off your drink. They’ll usually give you free refills too, but worst case scenario they charge you 50 cents. Save dough, save the planet, get your java buzz. I like it.