By Laura Bond
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 12, 1998

Java Jumping on University Boulevard

The recent opening of Starbucks on University Boulevard has done much to complicate the lives of indecisive java junkies. Coffee lovers once torn between the homey charm of Cafe Paraiso and the mall-like expansiveness of Coffee Plantation now face a another contender in this bizarre cafe triangle, the green-on-white consistency of the Starbucks chain. Choosing one coffee shop or another is made infinitely more troublesome when one tries to consume responsibly, with social and economic issues in mind (and, as the Starbucks company mission statement claims, most coffee customers are "upper-class, educated culturally and socially aware").

Much has been said about Starbucks' entrance as a local coffee spot. Some believe the multimillion dollar corporation - with more than 1,400 stores nationwide - threatens mom-and-pop businesses like Paraiso, and adds to an appearance of corporate homogeneity on University Boulevard. Coffee Plantation, an arm of the larger Second Cup/Coffee People chain, isn't far behind in its quest to create a "coffee nation," a world where buying a cup of joe is basically the same in Portland as it is in Pittsburgh.

But these matters of local economics may not be first in your mind when it comes time for that afternoon pick-me-up. There are, of course, other factors at hand, like price, atmosphere, business hours and whether or not there's space enough to spread out and discuss the future of nano-technology, existential undertones in Jim Jarmusch films or Shakespeare's true gender. Luckily, we've compiled a handy list which lets you know what you're in for, and who you're supporting, when you plunk down your cash for a cup.

	Coffee Plantation	Cafe Paraiso	Starbucks
donates to local charities	yes	yes	yes
sells Tucson made food items	no	yes	no
small cup	1.20	.85	1.25
refills	.50	.25	.50
hosts local performances	yes	yes	yes
displays art by local artists	no	yes	yes
publically posts fliers for local events	yes	yes	no
vegetarian items	yes	yes	yes
atmosphere	airy, spacious	cozy, quaint, charm	hip, style, lots of company logos
students sitting around discussing something loudly	yes	yes	yes