VIENNA COFFEEHOUSES THINK STARBUCKS IS FULL OF BEANS

VIENNA COFFEEHOUSES THINK STARBUCKS IS FULL OF BEANS

VIENNA, Austria (Wireless Flash) – Although Starbucks has just invaded Austria, local coffeehouses aren’t worried about getting creamed by the American coffee lords. One waitress at Vienna’s Cafe Pruckel says she doubts Starbucks will be a threat because “...the traditional cafes have been around for a long, long time and they have nice waitresses.” The waitress – who asked not to be identified – says the world’s first coffeehouse opened in Vienna in 1685 and the Viennese take pride in sticking to their long-term cafe traditions. However, Starbucks’ Austrian spokesman Viktor Bauer is quick to dismiss the “nice waitress defense” and says his company will only spur coffee business – especially with young people. So far, lines at the new Starbucks have been very long and the company plans to open 15 Viennese coffeehouses within a year.

Tue 12-11-01