Starbucks explosion in Mobile

What's up with all the new Starbucks being built around Mobile?

I understand Mobile is the second wettest city next to Seattle but this is crazy. If you include places that brew Starbucks coffee, we have one in our student center, one being built next to campus, another down the road next to Carpe Diem (a move that really pisses me off), one by my apartment here in midtown, one at Government Plaze, one at Barnes and Noble and another across the street from Barnes and Noble. There is also one on the middle of Airport Blvd. and another on Schillinger Road.

For those keeping count, that is 9 within a 5-10 mile radius.

I guess that's good for people who need their latte at a moment's notice but I still prefere Carpe Diem. That is, as long as the employees make me feel welcome. As with all businesses, that can always be hit or miss, depending on what employee is there that day.

Of course, from what I have heard, Starbucks is one major corporation that actually takes care of their employees and could be a major boon to the Port City. Now if we could just convince Borders to open a store here and some high-end shopping, like Saks Fifth Avenue or The Sharper Image.

Plus, I get to play "Count the Starbucks," a game I oh-so-enjoyed when I holidayed in San Francicso last summer.

Even though my time in Mobile shall be short, it's nice to see my adopted home begin to resemble a decent place to live. Maybe someone can take a bulldozer to those dumps we call shopping malls and build a decent shopping center then some of these bigger and better businesses will move in. After all, the RSA tower should be attracting the home office side of retail.

Of course, as long as the construction on Cottage Hill next to the mall is taking, I have no confidence in Mobile ability to actually get something done.