Yummy Yummy Ice Cream In My Tummy

We all scream for ice cream

Starbucks hosted today for 2 hours an ice cream social...they gave out FREE 4 oz. containers of Starbucks Java Chip in Coffee Ice Cream. It was decadent.

Potbelly Sandwich Works...Works for Me

The best thing in America other than shopping, credit cards, and sliced bread...is a good sandwich.

Jimmy John's is my favorite. Chipotle, if you could call it a sandwich place, is pretty high on my list too.

There was an article in the Chicago Tribune today about the growth of Potbelly Sandwich Works. It's a sandwich shop based in Chicago with 78 stores in 8 states. In the nine years that the corporation has been in business, this year they are expected to gross $100 million in sales. Not bad for 78 stores selling sandwiches for about $4.

It's a pretty good sandwich shop, I must admit. Tasty, albeit the sandwich is a bit small. It always leaves room for more, unlike Jimmy John's or better yet, Chipotle.

The most interesting notion in the article is the "networking" that Potbelly is doing with Starbucks. Starbucks is serving as this "mentor" to Potbelly. The CEO of Starbucks firmly believes that Potbelly has the potential to go nationwide. Lots of factors involved from the service-oriented aspect to the generous health benefits they offer to employees to the diverse and different choices of sandwiches they offer. Not to mention the strikingly unique theme they use as their brand.

Hm. A Potbelly around every corner. Could be an interesting prospect. What's more interesting...in Rockford, the Potbelly place is right next to Starbucks already. What a coincidence.

Addicted to the enterprise known as Starbucks

I love Starbucks. I admit it. Yes, I think it's ridiculous to pay upwards to around $4.00 for a latte that you can brew at home for like 1/8 of the price. But it's Starbucks...somehow you can never get it that perfectly brewed, that perfect taste with nutmeg and cinnamon on whipped cream at home. Honey vanilla latte. Caramel macchiatos. Yum.

So in my quest to perfectly describe our nation's obsession with Starbucks, and it is quite a trip...I don't feel at home unless I know where the nearest Starbucks is, and the ubiquitous Starbucks on the corner comforts me, it's almost like coming home. The perfect example of corporate America kicking out the mom and pop locally run stores? Yes. But oh, what a way to go.

I guess the best way to describe the effect Starbucks has is to post this article. Because truly does Starbucks have longevity. The Krispy Kremes of this world are on the brink of extinction because they expanded too far too fast, and the classics such as the Fannie Mays can't keep up with the competition. But for some reason, Starbucks knows exactly how to keep us coming in and walking out with a white canister of that pick-me-up. Check out this article from MSN. http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/P107679.asp?GT1=6110

Sale Bonanza

This weekend:

1. Old Navy Friends and Family 20% off
2. Banana Republic Friends and Family 30% off
3. Kenneth Cole Friends and Family 30% off
4. Bath and Body Works Tutti Dolci Lip Gloss Free with Purchase and Coupon
5. Archiver's Scrapbooking extravaganza - Make It and Take Its
6. In NYC: Jimmy Choo's sample sale...up to 60% off. NICE!

On Thursday, Starbucks had its Cheer Party at its stores. They gave out free tall holiday coffees, your choice of eggnog latte, gingerbread latte, or peppermint mocha. I got the gingerbread latte. Yum. I love Starbucks. I love their red holiday cups. And I love their stenciling on the cardboard thing they put around the cup. What is that anyway? Is it a gripper? Or is it supposed to prevent you from burning yourself? I have never figured it out. They also had cranberry cream bars. Although I don't like cranberries, this was delish. As Kunj and I talked about it later, if we had been in the same town, we would have traipsed all over hitting every Starbucks.

I wonder how Bath and Body Works is doing in revenue...because they seem to have a lot of these free offers with purchase lately. It's very interesting, considering Limited Brands, Inc. is under their predicted forecasts this year. I know some of their stores aren't doing as well as from the market and stock reports, but I wonder how Bath and Body Works is holding up. Victor and I will have to have a conversation about this. Speaking of stores that are owned by Limited Brands, Inc., Express is having their semi-annual pant sale, $29.50 and up. It started yesterday.

Wal-Mart is under their predicted forecasts also. As a result, they have unveiled a new holiday advertisement, having chosen 25 "gadgets" to promote as newly-reduced merchandise. We'll see how this works for the company who only puts out circulars 12 times a year.