Starbucks

This neighbourhood desperately needed something that wasn’t Tim Horton’s or McDick’s to pull the food and beverage quality up. With the departure of Balloon King, I was surprised to notice this building had a modern facelift one evening while biking by. The streamline black exterior and glow of the Starbucks green and white siren made me stop pedalling. Am I that deep in the ‘bux pocket? Prolly.
It’s an unusual location of a Starbucks. Situated on a non-​corner, right next to a funeral home, south of a church and across the street from a hospital. It’s directly in the middle of a death trifecta.
You’d think because of this it would get a lot of grim action, but not at all. There’s very limited seating, really just one small table and a small window bar indoors. They renovated the exterior parking lot into an accessible ramp and elevated patio, which I really like. It doesn’t feel like you’re right in the mix of Bathurst traffic jams thanks to some greenery.
I also just like the sleeker feel of this Starbucks, over the numerous former bank corner locations. It feels a bit more cozy and friendly for some reason. Maybe it’s the lack of a room full of quiet typers sitting behind you as you order?
Either way, I’m a fan of this location. It’s an easy in and out as you head south and it still seems like many people don’t even know it’s there. It’s nice that the hospital crowd now has some better quality beverages to drink and patients in wheelchairs can make it to the counter.
The only draw back is Starbuck’s new soy tax — extra .60c on all beverages with soy but that’s every location. Damn you, Starbucks!