City Braces for Invasion

France is accustomed to being invaded by relentless juggernauts bent on world domination, so this item from today's paper comes as no real suprise:

[my hamhanded translation from Le Progres]
"The American corporation Starbucks Coffee, worldwide leader in the distribution, roasting, and branding of coffees, with a presence in 43 countries, will open a location in Lyon. On November 30 it will open its 41st coffeeshop in France at 2 rue de la Republique [that's the other end of the street from us, by the Opera]; the other 40 locations are all in Paris. Customers may enjoy, either in-store or for takeaway, coffees from Africa, Latin America and Asia, as well as espresso-based drinks or teas, cakes and pastries."

What does this mean? For me, probably not so much, as I'm not a fan of Starbucks coffee (over-roasted, in my opinion) its pricing models ($4 a cup? GMAFB) or its business practices in general. Maybe it'll mean more available tables at Raconte-Moi La Terre. There's no impending shortage of places to get a good cup of coffee here, but the city's most famous street will now have a McDonald's at one end and a Starbucks at the other.

I'm sure it will do quite well.