New Yorkers tired of being overcharged for coffee are turning away from Starbucks and other increasingly pricey shops — finding caffeine relief from a surprising, affordable new source.
Once poised to take over the New York caffeine scene, the Seattle-based java juggernaut’s powers appear to be fading in the Northeast, with the chain shuttering a whopping 42 of its locations across the Big Apple in recent months — as part of a purge that eliminated 400 branches nationwide amid flatlining sales.
Among other factors in their recession, including inflation-fueled price hikes and declining desk jockey patronage following the pandemic, it appears that Gotham brewdogs are forgoing the corporate fueling station — favoring instead newer, flashier spots that offer a much better bang for your cup.
Currently gunning hardest for the siren’s starry crown are a group of quick-serve giants from China, known for their quick rollouts, near total-automation, and cups of Asian-inflected people diesel costing as little as $1 or $2, ordered typically via easy-to-use apps…