I found this tidbit interesting - it looks like the likes of Starbucks has actually led to a even more radical growth in the really independent coffee shops.

Taylor Clark in Slate:

According to recent figures from the Specialty Coffee Association of America, 57 percent of the nation’s coffeehouses are still mom and pops. Just over the five-year period from 2000 to 2005—long after Starbucks supposedly obliterated indie cafes—the number of mom and pops grew 40 percent, from 9,800 to nearly 14,000 coffeehouses.

★ [From Starbucks Might Be Helping, Not Hurting, Independent Coffee Shops]

Technorati Tags: