Say it ain't so, Howard.

I just love this Starbucks story.

For those who haven't been following, and I admittedly haven't followed this too closely, Starbucks customers from across the land are pleading with the company, begging CEO Howard Schultz to reverse course and keep their local joint open.

A loyal reader sent along this Wall Street Journal column today. I hope you can access it. If not, you can get the gist on the attached video.



It seems as if people have bonded with their local baristas, and they're unwilling to walk even two blocks to go to the nearest outlet. Perhaps they're lazy, but maybe there is something richer here. Perhaps people love their Starbucks.

So I ask this question, Would our downtown be a richer or poorer place without our Starbucks? The knee-jerk answer is richer. Those folks owuld argue that we'd be free from one more corporate giant sucking our tax dollars out of our community. In theory, local Starbucks acolytes would migrate to Fowle's or Plum Island Roasters, and give a boost to those local businesses.

But I'd argue losing our Starbucks would be a hit for the downtown. Like it or not, that shop is THE most vibrant one downtown. Everytime I walk by the corner of State and Liberty I see someone entering or exiting the building. Bottomline, it draws.

Second, it's a clear sign of life, particularly at night when our local shops can't or won't stay open. In my opinion that's one of the highest profile spot in the downtown--perhaps second only to the Firehouse. The idea seeing a closed sign in the window at 7 p.m. on a summer night saddens me just a bit.