Starbucks Coffee in India

In March 2012 in the Canadian periodal Maclean’s, Tamson McMahon wrote an article entitled “Move over, Darjeeling.” It describes Starbucks’ decision to open 50 new Starbucks locations in India, where the consumption of coffee has doubled since 1999. Starbucks planned to join with Tata Group, which owns two major tea brands in India. The cafés were planned to be called “Starbucks Coffee: A Tata Alliance.” Calling the cafes "alliances" is too political to not draw suspicion. The article claims that Starbucks planned to use Indian-grown coffee, which would assist the farmers. Behind China, India is the world’s biggest tea exporter, but represents a mere five percent of coffee growers worldwide. Despite how great an idea this seems, there is a lot of competition, such as Café Coffee Day in India -- which already hosted 1,200 locations and hoped to open 1,000 more. Comparatively, Starbucks wasn't making a grand move here, but it seems they were opening up just a few stores. Perhaps enough stores to guarantee they will glean a profit without risking big losses because of competition – and in the process look like they are in an “alliance” with major tea brands in India and supporting their farmers. I fear that corporations like Starbucks trying to ‘boost up’ coffee growers might be an attempt to make India dependent on the corporate coffee shops for significant growth in exports. If they have so many coffee shops already, why are they only in the 5% of coffee growers worldwide? Do they believe Starbucks can change that percentage rate in a mere 50 café additions? If so, that is a disturbing amount of dependence to be placed on Starbucks. Hopefully with further research I can find out what has happened with these planned coffee shops over a year later.

Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Observation/Description

From my spot at this sturdy bench, everything seems to be repeated. Many aspects of the place are layered within bigger versions of themselves. There is a pillow to my left adorned with a cartoon image of the moon, circles inside of it, and a circle coming out of its smiling mouth -- holding an American flag, strangely enough. A reference to our landing on the moon, I'm assuming, but still out of place -- as many objects here are.

There is a cork board hanging on a wall above the circle-infested pillow. It is polluted with napkins, all identical in size, each with different illustrations. Some are brief poems, others wacky sketches, and underneath the napkins are larger papers still with block writing or script. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between all these white sheets of paper, from far away. But when I sit here on the bench and look up close at them all, I really start to notice individual world each one contains. One  has the sketch of the world on it. Another, a sketch of Jesus dressed as Santa Claus. I notice for the first time that there is a photograph of a Labrador in black and blue ink and I wonder whose it could be, and what its name is.

Over to my right, the giant rectangular chalkboard harbors four small boards within, each containing every snack, shot and sticker the place has to offer.

There are four rows of wooden shelves lining the wall to the right of the board, all spilling over with coffee mugs. Some have names of  pizza places, winking yellow smiley faces, Starbucks jokes and classic Western landscapes. From business names to non sequiturs, the different faces of the mugs are endless. But they are all around the same size, all on identical dark finish shelves, each belonging to someone who, at one point or another, has made their way to this exact same spot.

The Neutral Ground's History

The Neutral Ground Coffeehouse has been circling about New Orleans since the 70's. In 1974, it was named the Penny Post, but three years later a fire brought the Maple Street location to an end. The owner then offered the place to regulars and suggested they run the business together. So, they took the business and found a new place for it on Daneel Street, where a bar used to reside. The Penny Post was run by its members, who paid a fee to keep the coffee house on its feet, and who were also encouraged to volunteer. That is, until financial problems ensued and it had to close in the 90's. Despite this, some members got it operating under a new name: The Neutral Ground. It was nearly identical to the Penny Post in its atmosphere and services. However, with more financial problems came another closure, until Phil started it back up again. This is the history the Neutral Ground's website tells us.

One regular at the Neutral Ground, Matt, has told us that the building used to be home to a grocery store in the 50's or 60's. Jake has mentioned that there used to be a wraparound bar, but the building was cut in half to accommodate apartments next door. Sarah says that the small hideaway in the corner of the coffee shop, the "Zen Den," used to be a DJ booth. What the place used to be is in question, but the Neutral Ground has been in its present place since the 90's, and has survived.

A picture of The Neutral Ground as it was in December 2012.

The Neutral Ground survived because it's a second home for many people, including myself. Several of my friends have known each other and hung out there since they were children. Until recently it was worked completely by volunteers for only tips. Now, one of the owners works the coffee shop most days -- but some of us still volunteer in the middle of the week. I believe this place will always exist in some form as long as there is a community willing to keep it alive.