Two Coffee Chains Could Call Same Intersection Home

You can never have too much coffee. Or can you?

Starbucks has proposed to takeover the 1,840-square-foot facility on the southeast corner of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard, according to a Los Angeles Times report. The space is directly across the street from another corporate coffee chain, the .

Young Rhee, owner of on Hononolu Avenue, was perplexed by the proposed coffee house addition.

“There is a Coffee Bean right there,” said Rhee. “I don’t know why they need to add another chain.”

Rhee, who’s owned her own local coffee shop for the past 33 years, was confident that Starbucks would not affect her small business.

 “We have plenty of loyal customers here,” said Rhee. “There are differences in our coffees. Sometimes, people will buy their coffee from a chain, bring it here and buy something to eat here.” 

Jeff Schnaufer, a freelance writer from San Fernando who travels to Montrose just to write at its Coffee Bean, felt the introduction of another chain could jeopardize the image of the independent business community.

“Montrose doesn’t have a lot of chains and that is one of the reasons why I come here from the valley,” Schnaufer said. “I think the addition of a Starbucks would be a mistake but it would still be welcome in the community.”

Patch contacted Coffee Bean in Montrose, but calls were not immediately returned.

A few storefronts away from the possible Starbucks on Ocean View Boulevard, Steve Dassian, manager of Oven Fresh Bakery and Café, said he was unfazed by the proposed plans.

“If Starbucks wants to come, they are going to come no mater what,” said Dassian. “I don’t think it will affect my business per say, but it will affect business at Coffee Bean.” 

In order for plans to move forward, Starbucks must secure a conditional use permit to transform the facility from a retail space to fast food because it requires more than eight seats.  Starbucks has also requested 15 fewer parking spaces than required by city code.

“Parking around here has always been an issue,” said Lucy Dimino, manager of . “I don’t think it’s fair for the city to give extra consideration to one business just because it’s a Starbucks.”

While the proposed plans may not affect the business at Rocky Cola Café, Montrose resident Lucy Dimino said the Starbucks addition went against business ethics.

“As a business, I don’t think it’s very considerate or takes a high-amount of integrity to put a similar business across the street,” Dimino said. “If another 50s diner opened across the street from us, I would be very upset.” 

One person who won't be getting his caffeine fix from Starbucks is Jeff Schnaufer.

"When you walk out of Starbucks you smell like you've been inside a coffee grinder," Shnaufer said.