HOWARD BEHAR AND I 'TALK' AT A STARBUCKS "You know the store where Tripio takes place is gone now?" I asked Howard next. I had no idea why. "Oak Park?" He looked back from the street to meet my eyes. 'No. The one on the corner of Diversey, Clark and Broadway. Dickens is stll there,... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Howard Behar-Starbucks wasn’t always global
H.B ""So are you here for work?" Howard Behar asked me. We had stepped outside to sit down at his table of choice. 'For the week." I responded with my trademark caution. I had not worked for Starbucks since 1994. I did run one of the first Barnes & Noble Starbucks cafes for about a... Continue Reading →
Building Starbucks one latte at a time
"Well, I can't chicken out now. I can't use an easy excuse. "You must do the things in life you think you cannot do". Eleanor Roosevelt. That quote. That quote stayed with you all the way through Tripio. You had so many chances to quit. Why didn't you? Honestly, because you couldn't. What the hell... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Kevin Knox-When Starbucks was a coffee place
Question for Kevin- In Tripio, Jay is frustrated by the expectation that all the espresso shots had to be between 18-23 seconds. Did Howard Behar, Howard Schultz really believe all the pours were to specifications? Even on 1,000 customer mornings? Answer-1-1.25 fluid ounces including. crema made from 7 grams of espresso blend in 18-24 seconds.”... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Howard Behar – Is Starbucks Cosmodemonic?
"The last time I saw Howard was at my store in Oak Park. I was the manager then. He was with the new Regional Manager- Stu. Yes, Stu Fields. God no. I give Stu hell in Tripio. Not really. But, the whole incident with the spilled mocha on the door and Stu talking into his... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Kevin Knox -Gift suggestions for any coffee lover
In a post a couple months ago, I said I didn't really care too much what your choice of coffee beverage was. Sorry, if I have too much gravitas for cheap click bait, its just who I am. As a middle path, I offer a few ideas for gifts this season for the coffee lover... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Kevin Knox and Howard Behar
"There must be a game at Wrigley tonight. It is Monday and there are more people around than usual. Looks like they plan on having some fun. I love living here, walking these streets and making them mine. I am beginning to realize that my job at Cosmodemonic * gives me something of an edge... Continue Reading →
A Tripio back in time with Kevin Knox and Howard Behar-Part 1
I recently caught up with two men who were working for Starbucks before most anyone knew or cared about much about coffee in this country. I wanted to provide a unique look back at the now legendary company through the lens of my historical fiction novel, Tripio. By that I mean, I hope that this... Continue Reading →
