What type of business do you wish STJ had?

[California Girl]

Sitter - just a few facts on where I live so you can relate

San Juan Capistrano is 13.6 square miles with a population of about 35,000 give or take. We have 3 Starbucks! But we don't have a 7-11!! On my way to work I pass two Starbucks... they are 1/2 block apart! (and those don't count into the 3 in town! That makes 5 within 5 miles!)

I'm sorry you have to go so far to get to one. I didn't mean to sound mean. It's just that where I live it's Starbucks overdose! Can you even imagine living in Seattle??

[lpowmacback]

Hey Sitter - it's far more delicious to get a bag of freshly ground coffee from St. John Spice and brew your own than to get commercialized (over-rated disgusting swill, in my opinion) Starbucks...

Part of the beauty of St. John is the LACK of commercialized crap we have here in the states and on so many of the islands in the Caribbean... It's so much more lovely to see individual, quaint owner-operated businesses!

Go ahead - go buy some yummy coffee from St. John Spice and see how much you won't miss your Starbucks!

[lpowmacback]

Did you ever see Lewis Black's monologue about the End of the Universe? It is where there are two Starbucks right across the street from one another -

[sitter]

Ok than....I'll do just that!
Naw....you didn't sound tooo mean....
I won't take it persoanlly!

I guess because I'm not a big coffee drinker....I am one of those that kinda still like Starbucks....Not so much tho, I think it's a bit pricey!

[tarheelgirl]

St John also lacks cheap, fresh produce=I'd go for that rather than the fat-laden whateverthatis on a bun..and I'm NOT a vegetarian.

You know, a drive thru beer store would be nice. Jorge, do you remember the "Brew Thru"? I think it was down at Nags Head. You drive through the middle of the store and they bring their beer to ya.

[lpowmacback]

Hey tarheelgirl - there are LOTS of alternatives to the "fat-laden whateverthatis on a bun" on St. John!

We are very health concious - eat whole grains, fish, lean meats, greens, tofu, yada, yada, yada - you just have to order the right things - and of course go to the right places. Most restaurants we've gone to, however, are willing to prepare things to order - grilled fish & meats instead of fried or swimming in fat-laden sauces- there are always salads too...dressings on the side - you just have to ask

We've found the markets on St. John to have a good enough selection of fresh produce, nuts, whole grains and such - heck, there's always oatmeal & popcorn... good enough for a week or two vacation, that is.

A good healthfood store with a little deli might be nice though

[nothintolose]

I am anxious to get some of the coffee from St. John Spice as I love coffee!

Don't do the Starbucks thing here as we have too many local coffee shops that I would rather support.

I definitely would prefer not to see any chains on STJ but if they don't have a local coffee shop (don't remember if they did or not) that you can go for coffee, that would be a good idea. They could sell St. John Spice's coffee and other locally made coffees.

nothintolose

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[tarheelgirl]

Hey, I thought the menfolk were supposed to tend to the brews. Got 2 trips planned, one to STJ and one to San Antonio, (The "all my Rowdy Sisters tour").
God bless ya for the invite, but frankly, the only cold I like is in a bottle, can or from a blender.
It's cold and rainy here and the chili is on the stove and the ACC basketball is hot! Don't ya just miss the south! take care!

[Maryanne]

I don't want to see chains on STJ, and was sorry to see that Subway hang its shingle. A few years back I was sad to see a Dunkin Donuts go up on our beloved Grafton Street in Dublin, right up the street from Bewley's. Fortunately, it went out of business.

[robncindi]

Funny Starbucks came up, I was having a debate with myself on the way to work Friday morning(when i didn't have any coffee) if I would want a starbucks on STJ or not...my final decision was a definate maybe...but only if Cindi and I owned it...otherwise we'll stick with St. John Spice fresh ground coffee

[sea-nile]

I'm with Lisa, corny or not. One of the things that I loved about STJ was the lack of businesses like McDonalds. WalMart, etc. Where I live the only fast food we have is Subway and there are no big stores or chains and I like it that way. Yes, I have to drive 1/2 hour or more to do decent shopping, but that is OK with me. I think that STJ should stay just like it is. Too many businesses might spoil the beauty.

[Ron_L]

Did you ever see Lewis Black's monologue about the End of the Universe? It is where there are two Starbucks right across the street from one another -

Then that would be Geneva, Illinois in the Chicago suburbs! There are two Starbucks on opposite corners! At least there was a few months ago when I last drove by there. Within a five minute drive from my house I can hit three standalone Starbucks and at least three more that are captive in grocery stores.

OK... Back to STJ... What do you guys think about a GOOD coffee shop and roaster? Not that I wan to take any business away from Ruth, but my retirement dream is to open a good coffee shop and roaster. STJ would be as nice place to retire

Of course, retirement it a ways off, especially after our upcoming trip to STJ.

[mia]

Ron-L,
Do you mean a chi-chi al fresco cafe ...tables with umbrellas? A place to sip espresso while thinking...
"Maho or Hawksnest today?" Not sure Ron....kinda sounds like St. Barth to moi Could work though, especially if you serve and sell Ruth's coffee
It's fun to dream....huh?

[lpowmacback]

Ron - No, sadly, there must be at least 2 places where there are 2 Starbucks on the same block - the one Lewis Black is talking about is in Houston... crazy!