Am I the only personally slightly disturbed with the opening of yet another symbol of American capitalism on Bahamian soil??? I was made aware yesterday that now we have a STARBUCKS on PI! As far as I know, we arent even (traditionally) a coffee drinking nation! However, my friends will tell you, I for starters LOVE coffee...can't survive without it..but it bothers me, the amount of starbucks popping up all over the globe! it takes something away from your cozy local cafe, when there is this huge, overrated coffee store, mass producing 300 calorie coffee! indeed i wonder how the company will survive in nassau, where many do not even drink coffee! or is that why its on PI?

Personally, i think we are becoming far too americanised/commercialised, far too quickly, and quite frankly, i am quite tired of trying to defend nassau, when discussing it with people who have been there...we are seen as nothing more than an extension on florida, and thats sad.

:bahamas:

Am I the only personally slightly disturbed with the opening of yet another symbol of American capitalism on Bahamian soil??? I was made aware yesterday that now we have a STARBUCKS on PI! As far as I know, we arent even (traditionally) a coffee drinking nation! However, my friends will tell you, I for starters LOVE coffee...can't survive without it..but it bothers me, the amount of starbucks popping up all over the globe! it takes something away from your cozy local cafe, when there is this huge, overrated coffee store, mass producing 300 calorie coffee! indeed i wonder how the company will survive in nassau, where many do not even drink coffee! or is that why its on PI?

Personally, i think we are becoming far too americanised/commercialised, far too quickly, and quite frankly, i am quite tired of trying to defend nassau, when discussing it with people who have been there...we are seen as nothing more than an extension on florida, and thats sad.

:bahamas:


Like you, my brain and heart don't really function until the java hits my gut, but Dunkin' Donuts has been in the Bahamas for ages - at least 15+ years. But Dunkin' Donuts have left a huge gap in the market. The coffee is usually very weak, like the filter had been used a number of times, the selection of donuts is sometimes less than half of the available display rack, and the prices are high compared to what you get.

I don't particularly like Starbucks coffee (love the icecream though) but it is an identifiable name that is synonymous with quality. Tourists will recognize it and patronize it and that is the market that Kerzner is trying to appeal to. If a mom&pop type place could offer the same good service, food and beverage they may be very successful in Marina Village, particularly if they do breakfast and coffee (evaporated milk, please) in a Bahamian flavour.

Why look at this as a bad thing? It may very well have blessings in the future. I am a huge coffee drinker and it really sucks because I have a hard time finding a nice cafe when I come to Nassau. The presence of a Starbucks could open the door to a new market as persons get used to the idea of going to coffee shops to hang out. I hear from tourists all the time that they come to the Bahamas to get away from the typical American culture. They thirst for a new experience. I am sure if someone opened a cafe with a unique Bahamian twist the tourists would LOVE it. They can get the coffee they want, but with a whole new experience. I know I would love it too...

Funny enough, I was talking to a friend of mine a few weeks ago and he was trying to persuade me to move back to Nassau. One of the reasons that I told him I would prefer not to return is because I am a coffee maniac and I didn't know of any decent coffee shops...funny this topic should be raised now.

I hear from tourists all the time that they come to the Bahamas to get away from the typical American culture. They thirst for a new experience.

but this is what i mean finekameo...they come for a new experience! granted we are not *geographically* in the caribbean, but i suppose many tourists visit to have a 'caribbean experience'...question is...how caribbean is it with a starbucks on PI??? thing is...like i said before, we are not *traditionally a coffee republic*, so i think bahamian (coffee) cafes might be bizarre...however, smaller side walk cafes would be ideal i think, as opposed to this icon of globalisation! everytime im in nassau, my fave place is segafredo...that might be hypocritical since its also achain, but you must agree it feels more intimate, as it is much smaller and proper cafe like. I also love news cafe, which doesnt have the greatest coffee, but the ambiance makes up for it.

to be honest though, i will probably bump into you other coffee drinkers in starbucks, since although i hate the chain, i do manage to find myself there all the time! but i swear its not my fault! on some streets of london there are FOUR starbucks alone!
ps: i stay away from the horrifically fattening coffees though! im a pure capuccino girl :angel:

But that is the problem...I lived in Nassau for several years and I never heard of those places. I was resigned to making my own coffee at home, which kinda defeats the purpose for me. I wanted to go out and have coffee in the fresh air. I bet if a tourist asked a taxi driver for a nice coffee shop they would have a hard time. Its easier to have a Star****s there because Sol and his cohorts wouldn't have to invest too much time and energy into it. It is just an amenity that is put in place to satisfy guests that I am sure have been complaining about a lack of cafes. Give the trend time to catch on and I am sure the Bahamians will crush Star****s. I already have plans to open up my own little cafe when I get the chance :D

But that is the problem...I lived in Nassau for several years and I never heard of those places. I was resigned to making my own coffee at home, which kinda defeats the purpose for me. I wanted to go out and have coffee in the fresh air....

Make your coffee at home. Put it in a Thermos bottle and drink it by the beach. That is what I do. The coffee is just as good, fresher, much, much cheaper and you don't have to stand in line! ;)

People come to the Bahamas for a Bahamian experience. Starbucks can't provide that. Even though this type of service is in high demand, the smart thing would be to welcome Starbucks and then launch a Bahamian-styled coffee house. Because Starbucks is a franchise, there's only so much that can be done. A Bahamian coffee house is unlimited. For instance, Burger King in the Bahamas will sell the same thing Burger King in NYC will sell. But if you go to a Bahamian fast food place, you can get better burgers and the menu isn't limited to hamburgers and french fries. When tourist come to the Bahamas they may recognize Burger King but in their minds they know that they can get Burger King in NYC, they can't get Johnson's Take-out in NYC.

Capitalize rather than hate them.

Make your coffee at home. Put it in a Thermos bottle and drink it by the beach. That is what I do. The coffee is just as good, fresher, much, much cheaper and you don't have to stand in line! ;)


You are still missing the point. I guess it is different for me because I am still living in the US right now. When I go to Starbucks, coffee is only part of the reason. It is nice to have someplace to go hang out and chat with friends or to escape and read a book. Not to mention it is pretty cheap. If you are seeing someone, it is a nice place to just sit and chat for a bit, then with warm coffee of chocolate in your system you can take a walk. Going to a coffee shop isn't about the coffee in many cases, it is also about the experience. It's like going to a bar, minus the alcohol I guess...but I must admit the beach idea does sound pretty nice.

People come to the Bahamas for a Bahamian experience. Starbucks can't provide that. Even though this type of service is in high demand, the smart thing would be to welcome Starbucks and then launch a Bahamian-styled coffee house. Because Starbucks is a franchise, there's only so much that can be done. A Bahamian coffee house is unlimited. For instance, Burger King in the Bahamas will sell the same thing Burger King in NYC will sell. But if you go to a Bahamian fast food place, you can get better burgers and the menu isn't limited to hamburgers and french fries. When tourist come to the Bahamas they may recognize Burger King but in their minds they know that they can get Burger King in NYC, they can't get Johnson's Take-out in NYC.

Capitalize rather than hate them.


That's what I was saying earlier. I think they will start a new trend and open up a new market. Since it is a franchise they can afford the initial risk in starting up this new trend. It would be much harder and much riskier for a private citizen to do this.

there are bahamian coffee shops - Logos, News Cafe .... etc.

Checkers is the only decent local chain, and good tasty food (though not exactly healthy) but closes too early and closed on sundays.

I still dont get people that drink hot coffee in 90 degree weather :D
I doubt starbucks would survive in nassau (dunkin donuts barely making it), only fried chicken seems to make money here ..

Frozen coffee drinks are popular..

there are bahamian coffee shops - Logos, News Cafe .... etc.

Checkers is the only decent local chain, and good tasty food (though not exactly healthy) but closes too early and closed on sundays.

I still dont get people that drink hot coffee in 90 degree weather :D
I doubt starbucks would survive in nassau (dunkin donuts barely making it), only fried chicken seems to make money here ..


The hot coffee isn't your main product in summer silly...that's when you break out the iced-coffee and other chilled products. If folks like ice-cream, then they should have no problem.

When I go to Starbucks, coffee is only part of the reason. It is nice to have someplace to go hang out and chat with friends or to escape and read a book
i agree 110%...i totally know what you mean. its just not about having a coffee, its about enjoying the coffee, the surroundings the experience. luckily there are loads of places to that in europe - without having to support global giants...and luckily thats because its the culture...but...i prefer the small fella with his own tiny cafe on the side street.

this mass production thing is becoming scary. maybe particularly in europe because of EU regulations...but all european cities are starting to look a bit like a clone of the other. all the same stores: H&M, ikea, zara, mango, topshop,bennetton, kookai, morgan, starbucks, cafe nero, costa cafe, pret a manger, borders and waterstones! i mean WTF? part of going to another country is having the opportunity to visit and shop in a store that is unique to the city/country!

But a lot of people can't just go to another country anytime they wish. I say if there is a market for it then provide the service. Let the chips fall as they may.