Caribou Coffee

**MikeM** · April-10-13, 02:28 PM

You are correct.

**douglasm** · April-10-13, 03:19 PM

I'm a little surprised that Peet's would expand so far from their West Coast base, store expansion apparently being the primary reason both Caribou and Tully's [[a Seattle based roaster) got themselves into financial trouble. Starbuck's got away with it because they were the first major chain, but others have gotten themselves into trouble going into markets they weren't prepared to compete in.

**fastcarsandfreedom** · April-10-13, 04:54 PM

I was ahead of myself in the use of the word 'garage'...i wasn't sure to be honest if there were service bays in the existing building, so I was using the term loosely...it's an early pre-cast roof...pretty cool.

Mack is the location closing, signs are up directing people to Kercheval.

It's a big retrenchment for sure, Caribou is basically shrinking back to MN and it's bordering states...as well as Denver. They seemed to do reasonably well here [[to the untrained customer's eye) - product is good, atmosphere is nice. I get the impression this is a decision made elsewhere, by folks who really don't know the markets as well as they think...why replacing an Upper Midwest brand with a California brand is a good idea is beyond me...essentially starting from scratch from a branding perspective. Let's not forget Starbucks went through a pretty major retrench a few years ago too. Tim Hortons [[granted not a premium chain) is a force in this market too...only so many $ to go around...

**rb336** · April-10-13, 06:26 PM

yeah, caribou has its share of fans around here who have never heard of Peet's. Rebranding isn't cheap, and may run off loyal customers

**MikeM** · April-11-13, 10:21 AM

Biggby is opening in the Talmer Bank after all:

Biggby Coffee Coming to Grosse Pointe Woods

**p69rrh51** · April-11-13, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by MikeM

Biggby is opening in the Talmer Bank after all:

Biggby Coffee Coming to Grosse Pointe Woods

I am glad to see this its a couple doors from my shop.

**bailey** · April-11-13, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

If you go through the trouble of buying beans direct from the growers, do yourself a favor and look into roasting your own. I've been doing that for about 8 or 9 years now, and there is nothing better than fresh roasted coffee. Speaking of which, has anybody been to the Roasting Plant on Campus Martius yet? They roast onsite. Any reviews?

Grabbed coffee here a couple of times. very good [[I thought). Little pricey, but it's quality stuff. Also the rube goldberg/jetsons-esque "JavaBot" system is sort of interesting.

**Hermod** · April-11-13, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by fastcarsandfreedom

Let's not forget Starbucks went through a pretty major retrench a few years ago too. Tim Hortons [[granted not a premium chain) is a force in this market too...only so many $ to go around...

People that go to Tim Horton's don't lift their pinky finger when they drink like the people in Fourbucks or Peetes do.

**wolverine** · April-11-13, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by rb336

yeah, caribou has its share of fans around here who have never heard of Peet's. Rebranding isn't cheap, and may run off loyal customers

I certainly hope coffee in the stores tastes nothing like the bulk coffee we get from Peet's at the office. Then again, it's like bulk Starbucks coffee you get. Tastes nothing like what's prepared in the store.