Bad Maps: Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Edition

I walked into the store this morning. Really small, definitly good for a quick pick up. However, I was really annoyed to see a “we will validate parking soon” sign. Are people seriously going to drive to Coffee Bean in downtown?

I’m sure they are thinking people will stop on their way to work. Might as well make it as easy as possible.

I didn’t really pay any attention to the map, since I knew where the place was. Yeah, the knuckleheads in marketing screwed this up. But, inaccurate map aside, it really is a case where the thought counts. It is a small gesture and builds some good will. Hopefully, they have some product and service to entice me to return. It will definitely make me think about picking something up when I do the Ralphs/Grand Hope Park run with my kids on Saturday mornings.

I only wish other retailers moving into the neighborhood made the same kind of marketing outreach to locals. One of the singular pleasures of the new Ralphs is the pedestrian traffic is draws. I sincerely hope these guys can capitalize on the opportunity of all those prospective customers walking by.

If Coffee Bean were not a chain, they might be concerned with promoting pedestrian culture downtown. If the company that owned the building also thought that way they probably would not have Coffee Bean there, they would have a small, independent cafe.

I don’t ever expect corporate entities to understand community concerns. Sometimes it happens by accident, however.

Hours? Its all about the hours!

We checked the coffee place out when they first opened. We’re fortunate to be in easy walking distance ot Ralph’s and so the ‘neighborhood’ coffe mug we got on opening day will be used many times. I won’t use it to get chai though.. I ordered an iced chai latte and it was pretty nasty.. I think they use a powder because it was not drinkable.

I’ve been to coffee bean & tea before but got iced tea or coffee. We’ll be regulars for that but anything special I’m still going to skulk down the alley to our ‘regular’ Starbucks (the pumpkin spice latte and lowfat blueberry muffins are a nice walk around the block addiction). =)

I wish there was a Peet’s in town. We get our whole beans from them. =)

I hadn’t noticed the map. I was just glad they were trying.

Btw worse silliness yet. we live like 1-2 blocks down the street and we have driven there and parked in the evil garage because soda was on sale for an incredible amount (just not at that location) and we made sure to get validated because although Ralph’s does validate for parking, they charge crazy expensive if you don’t. Best to walk there.. OTH, my cat was sick and they had catgrass for me to get her yesterday! THANK YOU Ralphs!

I’ll shut up now. =P