keep *$ out of Kensington Market, please.

If you're interested in the backstory, here's a column in the National Post: Venti battle brews in Kensington. I don't like the Post, and I disagree with the conclusion of the columnist, but I link to it on purpose here.

Backstory: I drink Starbucks. I am very fond of their summer drinks and when it gets cold, one of their flavored lattes makes me happy. I know what good coffee is having had the real stuff in Italy, and I know that Starbucks isn't it. But it makes do, and it's consistent. I can count on it.

I've written each of my 4 books in the Starbucks at Hammersmith on Queen St in Toronto. I can concentrate better there.

Clearly, I'm not anti-Starbucks.

But I am anti-Starbucks-in-Kensington-Market.

Kensington Market is about individuality, small business and history. It's not about chain shops of any kind, imo. I don't think of Second Cup as a chain shop, even though it is. I'd rather it not be there, but it is. I suppose it's pretty telling that no one considers Second Cup a threat, but people are paying attention when Starbucks wants in.

If you want a Starbucks beverage while knitting at Lettuce Knit, you can get one by walking 5-10 minutes in any direction. But maybe you want to try I deal Coffee instead. Or Moonbean. Or that new juice bar that's a few doors south of Big Fat Burrito. Or have a fresh juice blend from Rice in a biodegradable cup that might start melting as you drink it [but the Digestive blend, despite the name, is worth the risk of drippage]. There are a lot of choices, and none of them bring worldwide baggage along.

I don't want a posh cafe in Kensington Market. A few chairs outside, a great espresso machine + someone who knows how to use it inside -- that makes good coffee that suits the neighborhood. But, see, we've already got that several times over. We don't need Starbucks there with piles of their corporate glossy signage, and I for one hope they go elsewhere. Or maybe be content with their shops on almost every block in the city center.