Letter: Local businesses better than Starbucks

I agree with everything you wrote. I can't remember the exact date but in either 1996 or 1997 my daughter, Leslie Cullinane, opened Never too Latte. What a time she had getting all the plumbing, decorating, fixtures and furniture together and she was so proud of the finished shop. Business was very good and she made a lot of friends and loyal customers. It wasn't more than a few months or a year later that we attended a downtown business owners meeting and one of the businessmen got up and talked about trying to increase downtown business and "boldly" suggested that what was needed was a Starbucks to attract customers. My daughter was quite upset at that and told them so, (especially since not a lot of the local city officials came in anyway). After many years of trying to get the city to really do something about revitalizing downtown and not just talk about it, she sold the shop. I believe Mike Sessa was the buyer and I am glad to see that he is still there and has a loyal customer in you. I also agree, what do people really see in Starbucks that is so great? Leslie says that it is because "It's the place to be seen." Maybe so, but I don't like their coffee.

Alys Albright

San Bruno