Local photographer Joe Ewing has graced us with a series of photos he took back during the Ocean Beach anti-Starbucks campaign. 18 years ago!
The photos are from protests outside the then-coming Seattle-based coffee giant, in 2001 2011. Many in OB were opposed – and the news of the campaign (before the common internet) went international.
Despite the protests, the boycott, the meetings with the corporate officials, the pleadings and despite the then-abundance of local OB coffee houses – Starbucks finally opened. And it opened literally on 9 – 11, the day of the infamous terror attacks.
Even though over time the campaign sputtered out and the store never closed, to this day many locals exercise an informal boycott of Starbucks and refuse to go inside.
Thank you Joe!
The OB Rag has published several articles about the anti-Starbucks campaign in OB.
- The Story of How Ocean Beach Took on Starbucks, part 1 by Marc Snelling
- The Ocean Beach Campaign Against Starbucks 13 Years Later – Part 2 by Marc Snelling
- The “No to Starbucks” Campaign in Ocean Beach – 10 Years Old – Parts 1- 4 by Frank Gormlie
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m one who has never set foot inside that Starbucks, although I am a Starbucks fan elsewhere. The rent they agreed to began the wave of rent increases in OB that saw other places close, like my favorite pet store on Cable and Newport. And, look at that corner now. This was the beginning of the end of OB keeping corporate stores out of OB.
“I’m one who has never set foot inside that Starbucks, although I am a Starbucks fan elsewhere.”
Here I agree with Geoff!
Jungle Java and Your Mama’s Mug are great alternatives just across the street.
Speaking of that block, why is the grilled cheese store taking a year to open?
Mad Munch Grilled Cheese is taking a long time to open like any place in SD because of the ridiculously long permitting process. Also, it’s not on the same block as Starbucks, but will be near OB Hardware.
OB Mercy, do you have any information to support your claim that the permitting process is causing a delay to this place opening up?
Yeah, it really was the edge of the wedge :(. Proud to say I haven’t been to a Starbucks in 10 years, anywhere. Don’t even know what a stupid pumpkin spice latte IS, haha!
Geoff is that not the same pet store that is now across from Olive Tree?
kh, I’m not familiar with that store but I’ll check. The guy who ran the one on Cable was named Gary and he was a real curmudgeon but also good-natured. Maybe 5’10” probably in his late 50s. I had not heard he was back but if he is, I’ll go there.
I think it was actually where the hardware store is now, or maybe next to it… between cable and sunset cliffs. That’s the one that moved but is still in business.
It’s all relative. When I was an attorney trying cases out in El Cajon in the summer, the Starbucks there was my respite. Air-conditioned and decent java. At that time, there were absolutely no other cool places to get coffee close to the courthouse. But I’ve never gone inside the OB one except to leave anti-Starbucks fliers.
At least you are honest about your hypocrisy! NIMBY’s to the left and NIMBY’s to the right.
OK I’m a bit confused here. Did it open on actual 9/11 or 2011? (The photos are from protests outside the then-coming Seattle-based coffee giant, in 2011.)
9/11/2001
Interestingly the protestors that carried on despite the heartbreaking news from NYC were heavily criticized for it. Yet nobody faulted Starbucks for carrying on that day.
Somebody – I forget who – actually convinced the staff to close early that day.
Sorry about that – the text originally said “2011” – which has now being corrected to “2001”. (Had to drag editordude off the bong).
That’s slanderous! I don’t hit the bong until all the blogging is complete, I swear.
Ok. That being said, holy crap I can’t believe it’s been there that long. I think I stepped foot in there once to use the restroom. I always go to Jungle Java or Newsbreak.
It’s really disappointing to see all of the violent signs in the last photo. I thought OB was about being respectful of all people, even the ones you disagree with. #sad #bigly
??? What violent signs? Signs calling for a “boycott” are violent? Or was it the one about whoop-ass?
The whoop ass sign as well as the threatening stay out of OB or else sign. You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
One of them is holding a target sign.. she’s ahead of her time!
See this on Michael Moore – Starbucks and boycott and Howard Schultz. https://www.eater.com/2019/2/1/18206714/michael-moore-starbucks-boycott-howard-schultz
Debbie thanks; here’s the lede: Boycott Starbucks for the good of the nation, urges Michael Moore
Last night on Late Night With Seth Meyers, ever-controversial filmmaker Michael Moore discussed ex-Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s hotly contested presidential hopes. (Moore takes issue with Schultz’s claim of being a “self-made” billionaire, noting that Starbucks uses municipal water supplies to make their coffee.) His advice: “None of us should go to Starbucks until he announces he’s not running.” Eater https://www.eater.com/2019/2/1/18206714/michael-moore-starbucks-boycott-howard-schultz