Big Coffee: But Will It Be Serving Oleato?
It’s a Starbucks.
If you shop at the Lebanon Co-op or pick up your prescriptions at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Pharmacy at Centerra, you’ve seen the corral of fencing blocking off much of the parking lot, followed by a slowly evolving construction site. Now there’s the skeleton of an actual building.
Starbucks is loved or not, the “not” part inspired perhaps by its size, controversies over employee unionizing efforts, and the more mundane criticism that it over-roasts its beans resulting in unnecessary coffee bitterness. (See “Charbucks,”below.) Nonetheless, customers are abundant. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse chain in the world, with a yearly revenue of almost 36 billion dollars in 2023. It has approximately 36,000 stores in over 80 countries.
Fun facts to know and tell about Starbucks:
—It started in the Pike Place Market (the same market where they throw the fish) in Seattle, Washington in 1971; in the beginning it was a coffee bean wholesaler only.
—The quirky name is also the near-name of a character in the novel Moby Dick, Starbuck (without the final S). Apparently, however, there’s no real connection with the fictional character. The people naming the company just really liked the way the name sounded.
—Those Frappuccinos? Their caloric content can reach 600 calories. And Starbucks isn’t hiding it. They display the number of calories in their drinks and other items to inform customers. But don’t fear, Teavana Shaken Iced Passion Tango Tea has 0 calories, albeit a tongue twister of a handle. A mid-level choice? Iced Caffe Latte with 2% milk clocks in at 130.
—Those who find the coffee over-roasted and bitter sometimes refer to the coffee chain as “Charbucks.” Several years ago, a small mom-and-pop business in New Hampshire, Black Bear Micro Roastery, produced dark roasted beans that they named “Charbucks Blend” and “Mister Charbucks.” Starbucks sued them for trademark infringement. And lost.
—Oleato coffee? It’s the newest thing, and it’s coffee made with an added spoonful of olive oil. A former Starbucks CEO learned about the health properties of olive oil and decided to incorporate the ingredient into select Starbucks products. According to some news reports, when first introduced, the products caused some gastric distress among customers who dared to try it. Nonetheless, Starbucks has pressed forward with the oleato line. (More info here.)
The Oleato, Latin for "oil," drinks in Starbucks' new line contain Partanna, an Italian extra virgin olive oil brand with over 100 years of tradition, farming premium extra virgin olive oil. The drinks include a press – or spoonful – of Partanna extra virgin olive oil as a customization to select beverages.
—At present, 75% of the Starbucks enterprise is owned by institutional investors, including financial companies like Morgan Stanley and Bank of America.
Not certain when the one located at Centerra will be open for business, but according to a Valley News article dated April 15, 2024, it will have a drive-thru as well as a cafe with indoor seating. It will be the third Starbucks in the Upper Valley. The first opened in 2012 in downtown Hanover NH followed another on Route 12A in West Lebanon in 2018. (Update: a reader just informed me there is yet another Starbucks located in the UV. It is in the Target store in West Lebanon. )
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And in case you are wondering . . . Susan B. Apel shuttered a lifelong career as a law professor to continue an interest (since kindergarten) in writing. Her freelance business, The Next Word, includes literary and feature writing; her work has appeared in a variety of lit mags and other publications including Art New England, The Woven Tale Press, The Arts Fuse, and Persimmon Tree. She connects with her neighbors through Artful, her blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley. She’s in love with the written word.