Sunday, April 29, 2012

Where are the Starbucks in Belgium?

Back in 2008 I wrote about the fact that there was just one Starbucks in Belgium and it was at the airport.  Back then the girls and I always volunteered to pick up Bob at the airport because our trip would include a quick visit to Starbucks.  You would think that in 4 years the number of Starbucks locations in our country would have grown by leaps and bounds, but after all this time there are still just 5 locations in Belgium.  One is the original located at the entrance to the airport.  Two others are also located at the airport but you have to be through security and on your way to your flight to visit them.  The forth is way up in Antwerp at the train station and the newest location is in the Central Train Station in Brussels.
Brussels is similar in size to the state of Maryland in the US.  Maryland is lucky enough to be the home to 251 Starbucks coffee shops.  Can you believe it?  I tried to picture where 251 Starbucks would be located in Belgium and my imagination just couldn't take me there.  Belgium is a country that is kind of stuck in the 70's.  Although some aspects are far advanced like our banking and recycling systems, other parts are just archaic, like their school system and business practices.  There is absolutely no customer service and no stores are open on Sundays.  The only business that has a drive-thru is McDonald's and people really don't like it at all.  Most of the time there is no one in the drive-thru even at the busiest times. 
I can live without Starbucks but I sure do miss the fun of going.  Tonight Bob returns from a long trip to China.  The girls and I will pick him up at the airport which means we will go a little early and enjoy a nice tall extra hot decaf cafe americano with whip! Ahhh.

2 comments:

  1. Maybe I'll just have to have a Starbucks gift card ready for you when you arrive in the USA this summer.

    ReplyDelete

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