Before I go into detail, I'd like to mention that this is nothing personal towards Starbucks. Their franchise has become an American principle that was started by a humble mission, a mission to sell high quality coffee at a "convenient" price. They went to war with Dunkin' Donuts and battled for the hearts (and dollars) of working America. Their products became cultural ornaments that have transcended from the realm of good coffee, and are now placed as a motif for adolescent white girls everywhere to enjoy in a seemingly endless bliss.
All jokes aside, Starbucks has revolutionized the beverage and food experience. Nearing 25,000 locations worldwide (a little over 13,000 in the U.S alone), their stores are normally in locations where they can reach ideal consumers (adolescent white girls). Though it would be cool to have Frappuccino's and cookies sold in close proximity, there are some places where Starbucks cannot thrive. Last week, I was one of many to address an issue surrounding a local business at Hampton University (NU 2 U) and why students need this beloved store to stay open. What if I told you that the school wanted to resurrect NU 2 U...But in the form of a Starbucks?
Yes, that's correct, they want a Starbucks. Questionable decision at best, especially since we HAD a coffee shop in our equivalent of a student union (colloquially known as The Stu). Technically it's still there, but it's an inoperable dust collector, a waste of space really. If our university really wanted a Starbucks, I'm sure they wouldn't mind going through proper negotiations to have it in The Stu. But I do suppose impeding on a local black owned business that has faithfully served the school and surrounding community would be the less troublesome option.
With the future of NU 2 U unknown, a great deal of students and I STRONGLY DISAGREE replacing the store in the Harbors with a Starbucks for the following reasons:
- The coffee shop that was in The Stu was a failure so it doesn’t make sense
- Students don’t have “Starbucks money” (like how when we were kids, we didn’t have “McDonald’s money”)
- Our capital would go towards the franchise instead of the school or community at large
- There are a few Starbucks' in 5-10 mile range (You don't even have to go far to get what you want)
- And ultimately, this would provide inconvenience towards the students that are heavily invested in the businesses at the Harbors
Bottom line, college students are individuals of convenience (as I have stressed in part one of this saga). HU doesn't need a coffee shop there are already enough of those. What Hampton University really needs is a business like NU 2 U.
