tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804228947196894311.post8697953284160994943..comments2024-01-11T03:13:22.344-08:00Comments on Coffee Contrarian: Batdorf & Bronson Part 2: A Walk on the Wild SideKevin Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02151736463964404979noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804228947196894311.post-27293504276036457562017-07-29T11:53:09.583-07:002017-07-29T11:53:09.583-07:00Hi David -
Thanks for writing.
It seems to me ...Hi David - <br /><br />Thanks for writing. <br /><br />It seems to me that the Reserve Roastery project is what remains of the old product-driven passion, and while it's a tiny part of the business there are some great coffees being offered there, albeit at pretty obscene prices. Still with Mr. Schultz giving that project his full attention I expect great things to happen. <br /><br />Yes, the Teavana debacle on top of the precious tea debacles (killing the great whole leaf tea program, which happened under my watch, then the buying and squandering of Tazo) shows that Howard should have stayed with what he told me when he made me get rid of our great teas and pawn off all the tea customers on Upton: "if they want tea, let them go to China" (and yes, this is a verbatim quote). <br /><br />Good luck!Kevin Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02151736463964404979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804228947196894311.post-59415775556026392342017-07-28T21:17:51.975-07:002017-07-28T21:17:51.975-07:00Kevin,
Thanks for another informative post. I lik...Kevin,<br /><br />Thanks for another informative post. I like reading your impressions of vastly different coffees such as the two from Batdorf & Bronson you've most recently profiled.<br /><br />As I've commented before I'm a store manager at Starbucks. From reading what you've written in the past I get the sense that there was a real spirit of adventure at Starbucks in the early years. It seems like the sourcing of rare, exotic and exquisite coffees was a reality back then and just a slogan now. Today we are more interested in playing it safe with consistently unremarkable coffees meant to be doused with dairy and sweetener. For this reason I enjoy when you write about unique coffees that are rare if not mythical these days. <br /><br />Thanks again for the post. I'm not sure if you've read the news that Starbucks is closing all Teavana stores but I'd love to get your take on what you think the future of specialty coffee and tea is some time.<br /><br />DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804228947196894311.post-70007567920439553532017-06-27T11:35:48.887-07:002017-06-27T11:35:48.887-07:00Thanks Patrick and same to you! Thanks Patrick and same to you! Kevin Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02151736463964404979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804228947196894311.post-12377542844690864062017-06-27T11:12:51.268-07:002017-06-27T11:12:51.268-07:00Whatever you plan to do, I wish you luck and happi...Whatever you plan to do, I wish you luck and happiness!Patrick Boothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13909066337238588435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804228947196894311.post-17471650610936227972017-06-27T10:55:53.766-07:002017-06-27T10:55:53.766-07:00Thanks Patrick!
Yes it has been awhile and I'...Thanks Patrick! <br /><br />Yes it has been awhile and I've thought about just retiring the blog. Living in Mexico most of the year means I'm even further removed from current goings-on in coffee retail than usual. Kevin Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02151736463964404979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3804228947196894311.post-87634320744363902492017-06-27T07:44:17.055-07:002017-06-27T07:44:17.055-07:00Excellent posts, Kevin! Glad to see you posting a...Excellent posts, Kevin! Glad to see you posting again!Patrick Boothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13909066337238588435noreply@blogger.com