In last week’s post, I explained my brand loyalty to Starbucks. What started the idea for that confession was the news story that the coffee giant was to let go of 6,700 employees and close 300 stores. Would it effect me and my barista friends in Loganville, Snellville and Monroe?

To recap “Starbucks Addict, Part I,” I’d established my dependence on a substance created as hot water infiltrates bean. These brown nuggets are imported from Latin America to Seattle, Washington. They are then chargrilled beyond normal roasting procedures (hence the original nickname “Charbucks”), bagged and sent to Loganville, GA.

It’s at that point, I put my dog, Pete in the car with me at 6 a.m. and make the 1.4 mile jaunt to the SBUX inside Kroger on Hway 81 and 78. Few words need be exchanged with my barista. After all, I want to go where everyone knows my name or at least my drink. And Tuwanna does. A Venti Half/Caf No Room.

But wait, not so fast. While I’ve relied on SBUX to start my day for the past decade, I’ve noticed my own relationship with the brand is weakening lately like an overly flavored cup a java with artificial cream you get at the gas station.

Here are the reasons:

1) SBUX has stopped brewing dark coffee. They’ve changed to Pikes Place Roast, a cheaper and less dark, rich coffee. Being a half caffer, all my orders now have 1/2 Pikes and 1/2 something else. Not my favorite.

2) I thought it was just me, but evidentally, the good stuff isn’t available to city folk in Seattle, New York, etc, either. Evidentally, SBUX is letting go of us “diehard dark roasters.” I think it’s because they make more money on lattes, frappuccinos and chai teas.

3) I need to budget my time better. By not driving to SBUX each morning, I save myself at least 1/2 hour. Some of that time will go towards this blog. Lucky you, reader.

4) My new thermal carafe Cuisineart coffee maker gets the job done. I can drink the beans I want (House Blend-not Pike’s Place). I save myself 2.09 a day, which is 14.63 a week, not to mention a little gas money. Also, by driving less, I’m helping the environment. (You know, that little global warming matter.)

But will my downsized spending habits affect the SBUX stores in East Gwinnett and Walton County, I worry. Well, of course not. One person can’t make a store close. Then again, if me, the SBUX fan of all time is thinking twice about going there, imagine all the other folks who might be thinking the same way. It concerns me.

I talked to a friend, Joe Waters from Boston about my worry for the coffee giant’s future. He reports, “I speak to the district manager of SBUX here and they are doing well in the Northeast. Very few stores have closed in this area. It’s in other parts of the country/world where they are having big problems.”

Phew! Go Boston. Your sports teams aren’t the only thing that makes you great. You also appreciate good coffee.

And fingers crossed, my baristas will have jobs this summer. Of course, that’s easy for me to say sitting here in my p.j.s drinking the brew I made in my own kitchen this morning.

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