May 07 2008

Yet another Coffee Chain? Bring ‘em on!

Published by Melody at 11:40 pm under Yes, I do have thoughts...

Recently I went out to Bombay’s newest coffee chain - Gloria Jean’s Coffees. Though it’s a brand that started out in a small coffee and gift shop in Chicago USA (named after it’s owner - Gloria Jean Kvetko), it’s really big in Australia. I remember thinking on my last trip down under that Gloria Jean’s Coffees was just everywhere, just like Barista is here in Mumbai seemingly around every corner.

When I entered the Gloria Jean outlet in Bandra (where Lemon Grass used to be, near Pot Pourri) I was stunned - it was completely full (& remained full with constant in & out flow the whole time we were there). I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised, it was new after all, people are still interested to see what it’s all about, what’s so special about it.

Then later I realised - this is the case with every coffee place I’ve seen in Bombay - be they Barista or Cafe Coffee Day or Mocha - all of them are always completely full or getting there. It’s like Bombay thrives on it’s coffee culture.

Incidentally, the Mocha at Bandra has been shut - I have no idea why yet - there’s a plastic notice at the entrance which though I saw from my car, I was unable to read. Will go and pry later. Or if anyone knows, feel free to enlighten us.

Meanwhile, I’d like to be the first one to say (but I’m sure many have said this before me) I’m waiting for Starbucks to come to Mumbai. And I’m sure it will, and I’m sure they’ll be as full as all the other coffee shops.

17 Responses to “Yet another Coffee Chain? Bring ‘em on!”

  1. # Amiton 08 May 2008 at 2:26 am

    I love Starbucks. Cant start a day without their Tall skim Mocha….or (on hot days) lemon chiller…

  2. # Roshanon 08 May 2008 at 2:48 am

    Nice pic and nice tee! :) If you’d raise your hand with a cuppa coffee, you’d resemble the statue of liberty.

    A friend once quipped - To meet interesting people spend an evening alone at a coffee shop with a book… :p The only thing I ended up with was insomnia and a crossword membership.

  3. # Soniaon 08 May 2008 at 1:25 pm

    Got Gloria Jeans in Bangalore too, the prices are a lil steep….in fact way beyond Barista ones as well…Tried their desserts..there was this one sinful piece of cake..I forget the name…it was a melt in ur mouth delight…I am going to revisit…just to enjoy that piece of that cake AGAIN….

    Mocha shut in BANDRA?? WHY??? I thought Mocha was doing rather well!!!! Though I preferred their Churchgate one to Bandra…..

    Its come in BAngalore too..[Yeayyy for that]..opened up on Lavelle Road and Koramangala near to Bethanys High school….Tried both and loved them both….

  4. # shubon 08 May 2008 at 1:48 pm

    Curious, is this starbucks the one at Central mall in Clarke quay? the window dressing looks familiar :) Or am I woefully off the mark?!

  5. # Anandon 08 May 2008 at 3:42 pm

    I’ve been to one of the 2 outlets that we have in Bangalore. Found it slightly on the expensive side, but the coffee was great :)

    And this new tvimh theme looks cool too!

  6. # Melodyon 09 May 2008 at 5:22 pm
    @ Amit: Ah, another coffee addict like me!

    @ Roshan: :P The Statue of Libercoffee perhaps?

    And I had the same experience, some one told me to scout for men in coffee shops, I think I blogged about it… lemme see if I can find it…

    @ Sonia: Have no idea why Mocha is shut, yeah it was doing brilliantly, which makes one wonder?! There are all sorts of rumours floating about right now.

    @ Shub: No hon not at Clarke Quay, but not woefully off the mark either! That’s on Orchard.

    @ Anand: Great, glad you like the new look! Trust you’re well, been long!

  7. # Melodyon 09 May 2008 at 5:24 pm
    @ Roshan: Here it is, found it (it is good to have a search thingie on one’s blog!) :

    Ish-stuff

  8. # artful badgeron 10 May 2008 at 2:40 am

    Gloria Jean’s Coffees?

    I have lived in Chicago for 2 years and haven’t heard of the shop, and have heard of no one even mentioning it in passing.

    I think its one of those stories that are made up to make the chain look cool and exotic.

  9. # Avantikaon 11 May 2008 at 11:03 am

    Mocha is under renovation - at least as per the sign at the entrance :)

  10. # Pensive Lawyeron 11 May 2008 at 6:21 pm

    Am i think only one who thinks that Starf%cks….oops, Starbucks, is overrated? Appears so from some of the comments here.

    While i love the ambience and the sinful scent of coffee one gets in most Starbucks (which i am sure is more to do with some device at play rather than coffee simpliciter), i remain, and strongly so, of the view that the hot coffees served, whether is it a Mocha, Latte or anything else, is essentially hot milk! you can barely taste the flavour of the damn coffee they say they put! A simple comparison with either Barista or Cafe Coffee Day will show the difference.

    Of course, this doesnt apply to the coolers such as the ice cold caramel whatever et the like, which are more dessert than coffee……

  11. # Amiton 15 May 2008 at 8:27 am

    what happened to hurricane carter?

  12. # fason 17 May 2008 at 11:47 am

    Whats with Coffee that people like so much, its so not my types. Anyways the main reason why all coffee shops are filled has nothing to do with coffee, its to do with couples who spent their time in coffee shops then anywhere else.

  13. # Melodyon 19 May 2008 at 12:22 pm
    @ Artful Badger: If you read up on the history you’ll see it’s true. It just started in Chicago, but it is actually big in Australia.

    @ Avantika: Merci, until then, late night hot milk?

    @ Pensive: “some device at play” ?? You cynical lawyer you!!

    @ Amit: I deleted it by mistake!! Am am ass, yes.

    @ fas: Which is the reason all coffee shops are full & why another chain would be full too, as I explained in the post. And it’s not only couples, it’s all sorts of people who hang out at these places.

  14. # Avantikaon 19 May 2008 at 7:58 pm

    Anytime :) errr…except for this week, we’re both away :P

  15. # Melodyon 20 May 2008 at 10:14 am
    @ Tiku: Asterix has dutifully informed me of the same already. I have been supplied a full time-table!
  16. # deveshon 22 May 2008 at 4:07 pm

    Gloria Jeans? In Bandra?!

    Damn! When did that happen? I was just there in Bombay in Jan :(

    I seem to be missing Mumbai’s “puberty” stage - the time when it blooms to be the most beautiful or the most wicked!

  17. # Melodyon 13 Jun 2008 at 4:12 pm
    @ Devesh: Puberty? lol… I think Bandra’s waaaaay past that. But yes, it’s continually evolving. I remember when I was gone for 2 years, I couldn’t recognize the place!

    Btw, since an offical welcome to TVIMH :) Cya around!

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