The 23-year-old Starbucks on Astor Place went dark on July 30 for a much-needed (apparently) interior rehab.
Anyway, they are back in action today (or was it yesterday? The place was still closed in the a.m.). A quick glance shows new, more comfortable seating and a larger area for checkout.
The restrooms likely received an upgrade too. As one Yelp user noted: "The bathrooms look like they run a cockfighting ring out of them."
This outpost opened in the spring of 1995. As The New York Times noted then, this 5,000-square-foot, 80-seat Starbuck's was "the chain's largest outlet in Manhattan."
Updated 5:19 p.m.
Here's an interior pic via @unitof ...
I'm there as I type... It's a total redo: It now looks and feels like a roof top bar. I hear they might call it The Wahoo at Astor. I used to spend a lot of time working here and meeting clients because it was easy going and friendly and slightly used. Now it a little too cold and uncomfortable. for me. But it's for a new crowd they want to attract. Well, looking around, they're here. And at least half the people near me are just sitting and using their phones or computers - no food or drink. Boy, what a world... I never thought I would bemoan the loss of a 23 year old Starbucks.
ReplyDeleteLooks more like an open concept office than a cozy coffee spot.
ReplyDeleteOh for Pete's sake. I was there too this afternoon. I think it looks fresh, modern and clean. I happen to be very fond of the new renovation. There is indeed more space and the interior no longer feels or looks outdated. Big improvement. Let's all embrace change. It is 2018 after all.
ReplyDeleteThis AND Kavanaugh all in the same day? No thanks, I'm fed up with bro's.
ReplyDeleteI went in this afternoon and was very disappointed with the new look. The tiny tables with chairs (hardly big enough for two cups of coffee and a snack) and the low tables at the sofas are probably intentionally meant to make it harder for people to hang around for a long time without purchases. As an "older" customer, the low sofas and chairs are difficult to navigate and sitting shoulder to shoulder with other customers on a sofa is definitely not appealing. Between my apartment and office, I have options of 5 Starbucks locations. This was my favorite for its people watching views, the friendly staff and a modicum of comfort. No more...
ReplyDeleteStarbucks has been experimenting with those tiny tables and little squatty stools for a few years. If you're trying to do any work they are much less comfortable than the old tables, but they do keep the laptop warriors from taking over tables all day. It’s all about table turnover and shortening visit times. Now if they would only put pass-through order windows in all the bathrooms, then we could pee and get our coffee at the same time.
ReplyDeleteAll the charm of a bus station.
ReplyDeletePlease Starbucks with their overpriced coffee can get lost...I miss the old Rivera Diner that used to be there (now that is going way back)...good old fashioned diner food with good diner coffee all at reasonable prices...unfortunately places like that are often fading into nothing more than memory in this expensive City and that is a real shame.
ReplyDeleteOh no, no place to camp out at a table with your laptop and pretend you are busy doing something while nursing a grande house drip for 5 hours listening to distracting loud music that is trying to push you out the door to make way for more caffeine addicts.
ReplyDelete