Starbucks to be built in Wells Hall

Why wouldn’t you put in BIGGBYS (who was developed by an MSU graduate and is locally owned and managed) instead of Starbucks, who is a confident supporter in Zionism and the illegal occupation of Israel? Come on, MSU, get with human rights!

MACHI – what the hell does opening a coffee shop have anything to do with other nation’s politics?
While a Biggbys would have been nice, i don’t think your argument was the slightest bit considered when deciding. It is completely irrelevant.

Responding to “Anon”: As long as we are living in a capitalist society largely dominated by business corporations, the votes we cast with our purchase dollars are as important—or more so—than those we cast at the polls; and, even before the age of globalization, those outside our national boundaries were already our neighbors.

Although Starbucks coffee sucks, it’s good to know I can patronize their establishments without worrying about running into the likes of Machi. Unless Machi and his friends are in the process of burning one down.

I don’t know, I guess I romanticize Wells Hall a little. I miss the chalk dust smell and all the classrooms. There is something about Wells that will always signify the Math Department for me. A coffee shop makes sense since Wells is the first building on that side of the River if you are walking to class from Brody complex. Used to be the spot for student union movies also. I remember seeing “Blaire Witch Project” on Halloween night at Wells one year and being not impressed at all. In summary, you can’t stop change and this one probably isn’t a bad one. If I was walking to the engineering building through the snow for an 8 AM class, I’d definitely think about stopping there real quick for a hot chocolate.

It has everything to do with other nation’s politics — especially when Starbucks has repeatedly publicly defended zionism and supported zionism on many levels (funding). MSU students are then, indirectly funding it as well. Whether you choose to address this or not – you are indirectly supporting many things you aren’t aware of when you purchase an item. For the infamous example, buying cheap things from Walmart funds the pennies paid an hour in places like Bangladesh to workers. I don’t support zionism, or anything against human rights at all; it’s a shame people don’t know how much they indirectly support uncivil and inhumane projects simply by purchasing a project.

So, Machi would rather Wal-Mart NOT employ people in Bangladesh. Not even pennies will go to the employees and their families.

Excellent work, Machi! You’ve just removed the workers’ families from them employment rolls and pushed them farther down on the poverty list.

Dumbassery, at its finest.

I’d prefer jobs in America vs. outsourcing.

Biggby’s brews more pots with the same beans than other places, which is 1) why their coffee tastes like urn, and 2) why they push all the flavors and the sticky coffee drinks. Bleargh. Give me Starbucks any day.

AS a graduate of the MSU School of Hospitality Business, and as the CEO and a founder of BIGGBY COFFEE, as a Michigan company that has over 20 months of double digit growth, as someone who has never turned down a speaking request at MSU…5-10 a year for no compensations…it is disappointing to never have been asked or been sent a rfp ….ever. Branding? Give me a break !!

Why would MSU place a Starbucks on Campus when BIGGBYS is a Michigan company. Isn’t the founder of Biggbys a MSU grad??

Awful!!!!

Foolish decision. Why not a Michigan company. To which if the boards pocketbook is this benefiting. Definitely not a decision that’s a positive for our state and. . . Mi stste university.

In response to Spartan Bear, what are you talking about?! Biggby does not use the same beans for more than one pot of coffee. Every pot is brewed fresh. I don’t know where you get your information but you are mistaken.

Their coffee is selected from around the world and roasted in LANSING. It is more expensive, better quality and more flavorful than any other coffee chain in Michigan.

I agree Biggby coffee is better than Starbuck and the have more of a friendly setting most Starbuck focus just on coffee and most of then around don’t even have internet access which most college students around here like good coffee and using the wifi access Biggby offers where Starbuck as just about the coffee

This is a missed opportunity for MSU to tout a success story of an alum. Bob Fish and Biggby have been very generous to the East Lansing and MSU communities. It’s a shame Biggby wasn’t even approached.

I am very disappointed that there was not a competitive bidding. Why was not Biggby sent an RFP?

So, I think the point here is Biggby would have been a smart choice since it says “yes to Michigan” and supports the important connection with alumni. Can this reporter do a follow up with administration to see future options for bidding jobs? There is a strong alumni connection with some degree programs here, like The School of Hospitality Business and it makes sense to strengthen that bond here at MSU.

Really?!? How many Biggbys do we need in and around campus? They are EVERYWHERE!! Plus Biggby drinks are so expensive. I need a change. Starbucks, welcome to MSU.

Really? They are EVERYWHERE??? There is ONE Biggby on campus, in the Union, and there are two others near campus, one northwest and one southeast of campus. Hardly “EVERYWHERE” – and I’m pretty sure Starbucks isn’t any cheaper!!!

I love coffee and I am well aware of the prices in the neighborhood. Starbucks is cheaper than Biggby. Aren’t three Biggbys around campus more than enough? Phew! Also I’m surprised that the CEO of Biggby made the above comment in the comments section of the university newspaper. I admire Biggby and Bob and their contributions locally but he should accept competition as it comes and show his disappointment more professionally. Just my two cents. On that note, I will still continue to drink Biggby Coffee. Refreshing to see a change on campus :)

@Mary, thank you Mary, Competition is my point. Keep in mind I am not insisting on wanting the Wells Hall location. I am simply asking why we could not be given the opportunity to compete for that location? That’s all.

I was just pointing out that 3 Biggby locations in the general vicinity of campus can hardly be defined as “everywhere” – especially since you seem to support the addition of a third Starbucks. If there are 3 Biggby’s, and there will be 3 Starbucks, then I guess both will be EVERYWHERE!

On a more serious note, if it really is Biggby Bob commenting, it is disappointing that they were not approached for a bid. Especially in this economy, you would think that it would be in the best interest of the university to pursue multiple options and go with whatever choice is the best deal for the university.

Biggby’s should open a handful of shops near, but off campus, unless they can get a coffee truck on campus. FWIW I _like my coffee not-so-strong it gives me an ulcer. Starbucks is just another Evil Corporation.