Happy 40th Birthday Starbucks

In 1971, just as the Vietnam War was nearing its end, Starbucks as we know it today was born in a storefront at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington.   They had just moved from another location on 2000 Western. Has the Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte been around that long????  Unbelievable!  How many of you know that Peet's coffee was the inspiration for Howard Shultz's Gourmet coffee (Starbucks)? That's right

Starbucks bought beans, cups of espresso and latte from Peet’s in the beginning.  Peet’s is an original Bay Area company that started in 1966, next to the University of Berkeley.  They still have a plant in Alameda today. The original Peet’s storefront is still at Walnut and Vine in Berkeley.  The founder Mr. Alfred Peet  moved to San Francisco at the age of 35, and died of cancer years later.  Okay that was a little distraction. Back to Starbucks, the Starbucks customer created their own ordering language for assuring receipt of their daily caffeine fix.  In fact, I didn't understand it myself until eight or nine years ago. I used to laugh at uptown yuppies when I heard them ordering those specialty drinks. I had to be specific when I ordered because my drink became not normal.  All I wanted was medium coffee, regular "HOTEL BLEND".  I had no clue when they asked what size I wanted; a tall, grande or venti.   I haven't changed much since those days.  Many office meetings, back door vendor and real estate deals, I am sure, have been made in what many now identify as their "coffice.".   Oh, my turn to order, "I'll have a Venti Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte with whip cream on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon spice. Oh, and one of those lemon cakes too please, the big slice.".  Now where was I? 

Cheers to your good health and wealth.