Speaking in terms of the Midwest market, I totally agree with you... sbux did drive milk based espresso and coffee mainstream, and yes, they were doing this before 90% of the shops ( even the slut huts :), but just because they made milk based drinks popular, doesn't really give them the right to bully people out of the neighborhood and be forced to close because they don't have the fiscal means to compete. In terms of successful shops after the fact. It's only natural that you'll get the anti-sbux shop that does well in the shadow of them...

It's capitalism and I get it... but not the actions of a reputable company IMO.

Yes, the same can be said for micro brew, but I don't see Mr. Hale out there practicing the same ideals just because he helped popularize the micro brew here in Washington and other places.