Growing up, my maternal grandparents lived nearby. So, their home was the central focal point/ meeting place, for my entire family. My grandfather worked as a manufacturing design engineer, and got up at around 3 am each day to go to work. So, my grandmother would make a huge pot of dark roast coffee at 3:30, while she made him breakfast. They each would share a very small cup, and the rest would sit in the pot- and wait; for all of us to show up at various times of the day and partake. When that pot ran out, she would make another- and it would sit all day until around dinner. So generally, depending on what time you stopped by- you could get a fresh cup of hot, and very strong Joe- or a cup of what amounted to acidic sludge. For me, made no difference. I think I had my first tiny cup of coffee with tons of cream added to it-when I was around 7 years of age. I wanted to try it- and I loved it! I was granted occassional cups until I was around 13, and started drinking it more frequently. All these years later, I still put a ton of cream in my coffee. I abhor black coffee by itself, and hate sugar in my coffee in equal measure; unless it's a special Starbucks type drink. I try and drink two cups each day. More than that, and I'm on caffeine overload.
I told you all that to say this--I actually like some of Starbucks more darker, or French roast coffees. I grind the beans and brew it at home. I have been known to stop into a Starbucks now and then for a cup of one of their specialty drinks. A Caramel Machiato, or a White Chocolate Mocha, are my drinks of choice when I do. Is it overpriced? Yes, for sure. But also very tasty.
I never understood people whom complain about the cost, as if somehow on principle- that's the reason NOT to go there. If you can afford it- buy it; or don't. It's not like medicine, or electricty, or those things one needs to survive in the modern world. It's a luxury to purchase. Complaining about the cost as a way to tear down the company- is to me the same as complianing about how unfair the cost of high cost of Bugatti Chiron, or something- then tearing down the company because of it. There are plenty of other excellent options for people to choose from.
Another reason I go to Starbucks are the coffee mugs they sell in large cities. Several years ago, I bought one on a trip to London. They are black and white mugs with a relief of the city on them. I now have 28 of them. I was just in Paris recently, and had some time to tool around the city for a couple of days. I spent one of those days as a "Tumbleweed" at Shakespeare and Company bookstore; helping stock shelves, digging through rare books, and writing my required essay. Down, and around the block was a Starbucks; so I made my way there to buy a coffee mug. I was expecting it to not be very busy. It was packed. I think I was the only tourist there. So, globally- the brand contiunes to grow. On a recent trip last year to Iceland, I was actually surprised to learn there isn't a Starbucks in sight. The government is worried given the population that the chain would do too much damage to the independent shops there now. Probably.
On my last visit a few years ago to Pike Place Market- the line outside the original Starbucks across the street was gross. I would guess 200 or so people were in line to buy a mug from THAT location, or take a photo or selfie. Ironically, when I was an undergrad at UW, we never drank coffee at Starbucks. Waaaay back then it really wasn't a thing. Starbucks, not coffee. Long before I arrived in Seattle, coffee was king of King County. There were tons of shops around town. Near us was a cool, bohemian place called Last Exit on Brooklyn. Great coffee! Or, we would go to a place called Cafe Allegro that sold awesome espresso. We thought we were so cool. Starbucks then? meh.