Just a thought.
Why I love Starbucks: Before the advent thereof (and at this point, from any Starbucks you can see another in most neighborhoods in Manhattan), there were no public spaces in New York City where you could sit and read a book. Or at least damn few. "Oh, but what about Caffe Rafaela and Cafe des Artistes?" My experience in those places is that after you drank your cappuccino they wanted you out of there pronto.

Another thought. I thought that Vindigo.com (loaded onto my Handspring Visor was the hottest thing ever. Then they did some kind of an upgrade. now I can't get it to work for me at all. Is it about money, Vindigo? I'll gladly pay. What better way to locate Starbucks in an unfamiliar neighborhood when it's starting to rain?