THEN AND NOW

Amy R. Spurgeon

Then ...

Four years ago, Balboa Island merchants resisted the idea of corporate

giant Starbucks Coffee moving into their neck of the woods to serve

coffee on Marine Avenue. That one-mile stretch of road has been pretty

much dedicated on the island to “home grown” merchants of all sorts.

But an amended city zoning ordinance that allowed specialty food stores

2,000 square-feet or smaller with fewer then 20 seats to skip the public

hearing process paved the way for the Seattle-based coffee company to

move in.

Opponents feared that the arrival of Starbucks signaled the beginning of

a new trend of fast-food giants moving onto the island. Unhappy residents

and merchants believed that the new coffee shop would hurt the island’s

character.

“We are trying to protect our lifestyle and protect our people,” said

John Noyes, a merchant and president of the Balboa Island Business Assn.

who is now a city councilman. Several city council members agreed to

later reexamine the ordinance that allowed Starbucks to move in without

public debate, but they couldn’t change the famed coffeehouse’s location

on the island.

Now ...

The zoning code that allowed Starbucks in no longer exists, and the

Marine Avenue shop has been deemed a success. Some island merchants

believe the coffee shop has even contributed to more business coming to

the island.

“Initially there were a lot of bad vibes about it but now it is the local

hangout,” said Michele Holmen, merchandising manager for the Balboa

Porch, a cozy fine home accessories shop that sits next to Starbucks. “A

little competition makes everyone work harder.”

Not long after Starbucks went in, Holmen said that moms with strollers

and bicycle club members started designating the shop as a meeting spot.

Holmen said everyone meets at Starbucks because of its familiarity.

A young couple vacationing from Boston, Tiffany Clapprood and Massimo

Castellano, stopped by the coffee shop Tuesday to use the restroom and

grab a tall coffee-of-the-day.

“Seeing a Starbucks makes you feel like you’re at home,” Castellano

said. “They are everywhere.”

But some people still have their doubts. Take for instance Foot Boutique

owner Dawn Bohas, whose specialty footwear store is just a few feet away

from the coffee shop.

“A lot of residents still don’t like it because it is a big corporate

chain,” Bohas said. “People on the island want to keep the stores

original.”

Starbucks would not release specific numbers relating to the revenue

generated by the Marine Avenue store but the company did say the location

is doing very well. Three other coffee shops on the island -- including

Diedrich Coffee and Bad Ass Coffee Co. -- did not share the same fate as

Starbucks and had to close shop.

The Marine Avenue location contributes to the surrounding community by

donating free coffee at Sunday services at the local church and by

allowing local artists to display their for-sale artwork.

Starbucks has 60 locations in Orange County with five in Newport Beach

and three in Costa Mesa. The company plans to open 10 new locations in

Orange County this year. The possibility of another Starbucks opening on

the island sometime in the future was not ruled out.

“Let’s face it,” Holmen said. “It is the best cup of coffee.”