02-18-2016, 11:03 AM
(02-18-2016, 09:03 AM)clasher Wrote: I would guess Starbucks knows what they are doing when they pick locations and downtown Kitchener has a lot of upscale coffee choices nearby already so the market may not be big enough to support a walk-in only starbucks. They pay the employees pretty well and have good benefits apparently so I would guess they need a high volume of customers to keep a location profitable.
I agree.
I can't understand why people think this is such a great location. West is a railroad track and then the Breightaupt Block who's major tenant is dedicated to making sure nobody ever leaves the office. South, the Tannery has a good coffee shop. East, there is a coffee in 305 King. North their will be Smile Tiger. When the transit hub is finally built (??), it will have coffee in it so people will not go kitty corner across the street for it.
There is no good parking and this area is still very car oriented (for the foreseeable future). There is basically no pedestrian foot traffic around there (I concede there will be a bit more when 1 Vic opens up). But there is just no convenience to this location.
Starbucks does not enter markets before they are ready. They pay top, top rent for good locations when a place can support their business model.
Now roast me.....