Starbucks vs. Doubleshot Coffee Company

[Kenosha]

My friend Brian owns Doubleshot Coffee Company in Tulsa. (18th and Boston)  Brian's coffee is, quite frankly, the best coffee I have ever had.  He roasts and brews it himself everyday in his store.  You should try it.

But this is not why I am here.  I am here because coffee giant Starbucks is trying to shut down Brian's coffee store. Or at least, make him change his name.  Which he has had for a couple of years. This pi$$es me off to no end. (Like Brian's one store is a threat to their 7500+ stores across the globe.)

Please support this local business.  I generally have no problem with corporations, until they target those folks who are just trying to make a decent living doing something they love. These local businesses are a critical component if places like Tulsa are to find their own identity.  

These arse-holes are destroying part of the fabric which makes this country great: small businesses and entreprenuership.

He can explain it better than I, so here is the email I got from him today:

quote:I sense there has been some confusion.  At least, that's what the letter says that I received from Starbucks' attorneys.


It's true.  I received a letter last week informing me that I am infringing on a trademark that Starbucks has had since 2001, "Starbuck's Doubleshot."  The lawyers advised me to cease using the DoubleShot Coffee Company name, to shut down my website (http://www.doubleshotcoffee.com), and to destroy everything I have which bears the "DoubleShot" name.  Come read the letter yourself-- it's framed and hanging on the wall, over the garbage can.


At first I frowned, then I smiled, then I laughed, then I experienced a little anger and fear, and then I went back to vengeance and irritable laughter.  As you know, I don't take kindly to people telling me what to do.  After briefly discussing the matter with my lawyer, and a gaggle of other lawyers who regularly patronize DoubleShot (my DoubleShot, not the can at the gas station), I don't think Starbucks has a leg to stand on.  Doubleshot is a generic industry term for two shots of espresso.  They have no exclusive rights to it.  But they will try to scare me and lawyer me out of business if we give them the opportunity.


So today, as a legal clarification, I would like everyone to know that we are not Starbuck's Doubleshot.  If we tricked you into coming in here, thinking you could get a can of Starbuck's DoubleShot here, please let me know.
And if you thought that $2 Tuesday was a sale on Starbuck's Doubleshot, I vehemently apologize for the confusion and ask you to please not come in here anymore because stupid people annoy me.


On the other hand, if you are brilliant enough to seek out a pound of fresh-roasted DoubleShot coffee, you will be rewarded today.  Come in anytime today for $2 Tuesday, and receive a $2 discount on every pound of oh-so-tasty-coffee you purchase.


We don't have any cans of Starbuck's Doubleshot here, but we do have the freshest coffee on the planet!


Please tell as many people as you can about this outrageous Starbucks chicanery.  We figure that the more publicity and public indignation we stir up, the better chance we will have at standing up against this evil corporate empire.
Find out more information about this on the latest episode of AA Cafe (and learn how to get a 15% discount on web orders):  http://www.doubleshotcoffee.com/aacafe or on iTunes (search for "AA Cafe" in the music store).


Cupping
All the spots are reserved for this Wednesday's cupping, but please let me know if you would like to get in on next week's cupping session.  I will be sitting down with three people at 530p to conduct a formal coffee cupping, which is a professional tasting to determine each coffee's characteristics and rate them according to your palate.  Again, email me if you would like to participate next week.


BrewU
This Thursday (3/30), I will be conducting another class on coffee.  It will start at 7p here at DoubleShot Coffee Company, and will cover many aspects of coffee.  Complimentary coffee will be served, but we will be closed for regular business as of 630p Thursday.  Come and learn more about coffee, and feel free to bring your questions.  It should be an education for all.


Racing
I mentioned that I am getting back into racing, after a near-hiatus of four years.  On April 8, I will be competing in the solo division of the Ozark Challenge adventure race in Arkansas.  http://www.ozarkchallenge.com
The following weekend, April 15, I will be running another ultramarathon.  This time I'll be competing (against my inner demons) in the McNaughton 100 in Illinois.  http://www.mcnaughtonparktrailruns.com/index2.htm


I'm working on putting together a team of DoubleShot athletes, so if you'd like to participate or sponsor us, lemme know.


Come buy some coffee and help keep Starbucks off my back!


Brian
http://www.doubleshotcoffee.com



ps.  I invented "coffee"