Starbucks in the Village?

I need to try Palmer's!! What else do they serve?

Sounds like Village Coffee doesn't need to worry about Starbucks, but Palmer's. 

ffof said:

Really needed?  We have coffee in the train station, Village Coffee, bagel Chateau, Able Baker and Palmer's (haven't heard of it til just now...will check it out).  Able Baker just expanded.   Not sure what their hours are.  We really really really don't need a Starbucks.  

Why do we need any of these? Don't people have coffee makers at home? If not or if it breaks you can get a cup of coffee at the Mapleleaf.

But where can you get a nice cup of tea?

Palmer's FB page - https://www.facebook.com/PalmersSweetery/?fref=ts

Their website is still under construction.

In my work travels through all kinds of towns and cities in the tri-state area I have seen plenty of Dunkin Donuts with signage that's designed to blend in. Plus I stop into newer ones with improved seating, wifi, outlets (including the usb kind) which make them much more pleasant to hang out. They also don't crank the music up like so Starbucks seem to now. So I wouldn't mind a nice Dunkin Donuts in Maplewood Village from that standpoint.  

But now I am eager to try coffee from Palmer's.

I despise Dunkin Donuts coffee and the food is even worse, even the donuts  - like wonder bread bagels! But to each their own.

Wouldn't mind something other than Starbucks, but I doubt many places have the business model to make that happen (eg, village coffee isn't open late )

And don't discount the convenience of ordering ahead with the Sbux app and ease of payment...  That alone has stopped me from going to Able Baker - it's such a process to order get and pay for things there.  (And it's terribly loud)

Starbucks plays music loud because its trying to sell you the CDs. peteglider, have you been to Able Baker since the expansion? It's a lot easier to get in and order something now.

I'm with Pete -I can't drink Dunkin Donuts coffee anymore.

The Able Baker expansion is great! 

Robert_Casotto said:

Pizzerias around here make chicken parms using pre-cooked chicken.  No difference between that and BK under that lame-o definition.  In fact, BK makes burgers to order these days.  from frozen patties of course, but then so does practically every diner around.

imho, starbucks tastes like battery acid but it beats the tepid crap you get elsewhere (except for Palmers which is awesome!!!!!).  I'm all for protectionism when it comes to local mom and pops but if those mom and pops lack quality it's we the people who suffer under a regime that promotes mediocrity.

isn't this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do what you you want to us, but we're not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen!

BK claims they no longer use frozen patties.   

Starbucks no longer sells CDs. But they do still play music because they are trying to create a younger, hipper, more-energetic vibe that, along with its signage and interior design, helps differentiate it from places like Dunkin' Donuts. And it is very different from DD, at least cosmetically. Which matters a lot in an area like MW Village. I'm not a fan, but it's much more in keeping with the Village than DD would be. That said, Millburn and South Orange both have DDs and both downtowns seem to be surviving that particular insult to their characters. 

Robert_Casotto said:

imho, starbucks tastes like battery acid but it beats the tepid crap you get elsewhere (except for Palmers which is awesome!!!!!).  

Bollocks!  Able Baker's coffee is excellent. Haven't tried Palmers but, if the benchmark is BSUX, it can't much but help come out ahead.

Klinker said:

So, would everyone who is OK with BSUX be just as OK with a Dunking Donuts in that spot?  Its hard to see much of a difference in their corporate models aside from signage.

Besides aesthetics and their uninvitingness.  And DD coffee is crap.  And I can't get a flat white.  And...

ridski said:

Sounds like Village Coffee doesn't need to worry about Starbucks, but Palmer's. 

I love VC, but I don't go there for their coffee. I mean, it isn't serious coffee, is it?

orzabelle said:

ridski said:

Sounds like Village Coffee doesn't need to worry about Starbucks, but Palmer's. 

I love VC, but I don't go there for their coffee. I mean, it isn't serious coffee, is it?

Neither is BSUX.  If this thread demonstrates anything, it is that our area REALLY needs a serious coffee house.  If people are drinking Bsux and thinking they are getting a treat they are in desperate need of enlightenment.

A really serious coffee house can rarely afford to pay high rents  - more likely to open on Springfield ave.  Inkosi Cafe on irvington avenue has the potential to be a good coffee house and is close to SHU but seems to fall short.

Palmers, with its Irving Farm, and Able Baker, with its La Colombe...both are serious enough for me.

Able Baker's La Columbe is brewed way too weak, though, IMO. It's not enough just to start with high-quality coffee. 

imonlysleeping said:

Starbucks no longer sells CDs. But they do still play music because they are trying to create a younger, hipper, more-energetic vibe that, along with its signage and interior design, helps differentiate it from places like Dunkin' Donuts. And it is very different from DD, at least cosmetically. Which matters a lot in an area like MW Village. I'm not a fan, but it's much more in keeping with the Village than DD would be. That said, Millburn and South Orange both have DDs and both downtowns seem to be surviving that particular insult to their characters. 

No more CDs? Since last February?

Damn, just goes to show how much time I spend in those hellholes.

The Coffee Mill Roasters in Millburn has excellent coffee. And it's right next to a Starbucks! 

orzabelle said:

ridski said:

Sounds like Village Coffee doesn't need to worry about Starbucks, but Palmer's. 

I love VC, but I don't go there for their coffee. I mean, it isn't serious coffee, is it?

I've been to VC about two or three times, and always ended up disappointed with something so I just don't go there anymore. This is discounting the time I went there after Sandy when I went in for breakfast instead of Mapleleaf and immediately wished i'd gone to Mapleleaf because seriously we were all hurting at that time and I can't blame them. It's that the other times were no different.

Village Coffee deserves props for having really nice, really good service, and delicious egg dishes with the OPTION of green salads instead of fries.   It's a nice place to hang out, with magazines and a good overall vibe.   The Maple Leaf has none of that.   Able Baker is awesome for coffee and treats.   New place sounds good.   With Starbucks in Millburn and SO and all these other good options,  I see no need to go a starbucks in Maplewood, but yes, the market will determine.

I've had some lovely and very fresh Indian food at VC

Aaand this is why I rarely mention that I don't like VC. I know there are many who love it and I've only ever been for breakfast (I don't really lunch out) and it's not what I'm after in a breakfast place. Completely subjective, I know. I have the same issue with Parkwood.

Millburn Diner, however, just sucks.

Annnnnd no one was singling you out.  Just throwing in my pennies.

IIIiiiiiiii know.

ridski said:

Millburn Diner, however, just sucks.

Oh my gosh, does that place sucks. Went there with the family and they managed to present 3 barely edible meals. They couldn't manage pancakes, an omelet or a burger. They even managed to screw up the ice cream from my kid's children's menu order. Place was crowded too.

When we were looking we were fooled by the name 'Village Coffee' and went in expecting some artisanal coffee and/or chai. Never went back. South Orange Starbucks or the Ivy Hill Dunkin' Donuts (closest to home) are where we end up more often.

Coffee Mill is probably the best in the area, but since we're near the Ivy Hill Dunkin' that's sort of a tad further than we'd go for a quick cup. Almost makes up for how bad the Millburn Diner is.

qrysdonnell said:

ridski said:

Millburn Diner, however, just sucks.

Oh my gosh, does that place sucks. Went there with the family and they managed to present 3 barely edible meals. They couldn't manage pancakes, an omelet or a burger. They even managed to screw up the ice cream from my kid's children's menu order. Place was crowded too.

When we were looking we were fooled by the name 'Village Coffee' and went in expecting some artisanal coffee and/or chai. Never went back. South Orange Starbucks or the Ivy Hill Dunkin' Donuts (closest to home) are where we end up more often.

Coffee Mill is probably the best in the area, but since we're near the Ivy Hill Dunkin' that's sort of a tad further than we'd go for a quick cup. Almost makes up for how bad the Millburn Diner is.

Thank you both for pointing out how badly the Millburn Diner sucks! I haven't eaten food that bad in a long time.  My husband and I regularly see the place packed for dinner on weeknights and even people waiting outside to eat there on weekend mornings.  Why??? It's one of the great mysteries.  

I happen to like VC.  I think the service is nice and I enjoy their omelettes with a side salad and hash browns.  Is their coffee amazing?  No but it's fine.  For really good coffee I like the Coffee Mill.  I also like the Able Baker's coffee but it's always so packed that it's not worth it just for a cup of coffee.  

How does Milburn diner go on for so long with being so bad?  I go back every few years to see if it has improved and sometimes it gets worse.  

nan said:

How does Milburn diner go on for so long with being so bad?  I go back every few years to see if it has improved and sometimes it gets worse.  

I have wondered this myself.  I almost want to conduct interviews of people who are dining there to ask why they dine here when there are so many other options in a similar price point.  

orzabelle said:

I've had some lovely and very fresh Indian food at VC

Love their take on butter chicken.  They even gave me the mixed spices in a baggie to make it at home. And never left a home fry on my plate at bfast.

Their coffee isn't the best in town (I miss Counter Culture at The Laurel, which I preferred slightly over La Colombe at Able Baker), but it works, and they're great folks.