Starbucks...serving alcohol?

Starbucks...serving alcohol?

When you think of Starbucks, what do you think of?  Maybe you think of a cold winter day and a warm Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha in your hand.  Maybe you think of rushing into school and making sure not to spill your hot Starbucks coffee all over your new outfit.  Maybe you even think of studying while sipping a Passion Tea Lemonade and munching on a Starbucks Cake Pop.  

Maybe a bar?  Where you can buy wine and cheese?

Most people turn up their noses when they hear this.  "Of course not, Starbucks is definitely not a bar..."  Well, you might want to reconsider.  Now Starbucks can now serve alcohol.  This may seem weird to many of you as it was for me.  I for sure do not think of Starbucks as this kind of place or atmosphere.  I think of Starbucks as a relaxed environment to chat quietly with friends after a high school football game or even after a late night movie.

When I think of a bar, I just picture a loud crazy atmosphere where people have to yell just to talk to their friend sitting right next to them.  This seems a definite parallel to Starbucks.  But will fall, came the opportunity to purchase alcoholic beverages at Starbucks.  I understand the idea that people meet for drinks just like they may meet for coffee.  Starbucks obviously caught on to the idea and opened its menu up to more than just caffeine and fruit, but alcohol.  With this new addition to Starbucks, it is hard to tell if this will actually harm or benefit their business.  Sure more adults will come in for drinks, but does this kick out their younger consumers?