Look at all the Wildebeest standing around.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

@entr0py

The premise is not off at all. Starbucks simply skipped all the moving around steps and located in the "middle of the beach" where the existing coffee shop already was, because (it is likely) that is the best spot in the market.

Starbucks, or any business, does not open to "drive them out of business" they open a store to sell their goods and make a profit.

As someone who has worked with several retailers in very aggressive market sectors (pizza, fast casual, etc) I can tell you that the two vital components to any successful retailer/restaurant are 1) Good location 2) Good Operations. A good location means your customer will see you and get to you. Good operations means once they are there they will be served well.

More often then not when we start working with a new client we look at their competition not because we want to "drive them out of business", but because they have already looked at and evaluated the market. We then evaluate their locations and see if that is still the correct location or not. Markets shift for a variety of reasons - housing growth, retail expansion, major retailers relocating, etc.

"It's easier to steal someone else's customer base than try to create your own." Really? I find this to be the silliest argument. There is a limited amount of money people are going to spend on a product. Lets say a town will spend $1000 a day on coffee. If you open another coffee shop they are not going to spend an additional thousand. The $1000 is just going to be divided up. Maybe there is a slight increase because of access, but by and large people are only going to spend so much. Furthermore, people are creatures of habit. They are actually more likely to continue to go where they have been going unless you offer something better. That better might be a combination of easier access, faster service, a nicer interior, cheaper prices, or better product.

In the city I work in there are several grocery chains expanding and opening new stores. Does that mean people are spending more on groceries? No. What has happened is the grocer with the weakest operations closed. Those locations (over 30) have since been taken over by a variety of both national chains and local independent grocers (all who have better operations). This competition has meant better prices and service for customers.

I buy my coffee a block from my house (and I usually just buy the beans they roast on site) from a local shop. It doesn't bother me in the slightest that other people choose to go to the Starbucks up the street. The coffee I buy is better and I pay a premium for it.

Edit: One last thought - Among the many competitive advantages corporate users have is that they can operate at a loss or lower profit than many "local" stores. That being said the same is not quite as true from franchisee business owners (who have different advantages, hopefully).

"Dominic: What do you think will happen?

Finch: What usually happens when people without guns stand up to people *with* guns."

My history teacher in high school was very civic minded. He was a Quaker too, but I believe he converted after serving in the army during Vietnam. I will never forget that he us that protesting is important, but if cops/national guard/ people with guns show up - get away. It creates a dangerous and volatile situation.

I really don't believe that the majority of police or protesters are bad people and want these kind of things to happen. In the heat of the moment things escalate rapidly and get out of control. People make bad decisions - now we capture them and put them on youtube.

@Shepppard

Restaurants like to be next to one another so long as they are different products. It creates a "food destination". Preferably lack of availability or a restriction would prevent users that have a product that is very similar.

Ever notice how most retail developments only have one coffee shop or one sandwich shop? Retail users ask landlords for an exclusive use. For example, Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts will say they can be the only store that sells coffee in a shopping center. Another restaurant may serve coffee as an incidental use - that is it can't be the central part of their business. This makes it harder for a new user to enter an established market.

You seem to be fixated on peak capacity of sit down restaurants. Restaurants have to complete their own analysis of how much square footage to have to accommodate the heaviest dining times, but still cover their costs when seats sit empty. Each square foot adds to their cost.

This video is very accurate in describing how users evaluate and respond to competition within a market.

I have worked in commercial retail brokerage for the last 10 years with several national users - pharmacies, banks, restaurants, and general retail use.

As a final comment, users can and will move. People do not notice as much but retailers relocate when they must to stay competitive or to block another user from coming into a market.

"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."

This is pretty cool. I could "see" the missing textures. I remember loading that map up for the first time. So amazing.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/suspension+of+disbelief

Yea the guy driving the Porsche has to be ON his line. Very impressive driving and riding.

It is impossible for some people to see that this watch is at the intersection of art, engineering, and style.

While it is not my style it is very impressive in terms of the attention to detail, the complexity, and the skill of its makers.

Sure this watch is made for a Saudi Prince or a Chinese gazillionaire, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate it.

I don't cry foul when someone spends their life making music or sculpting stones into statues. What a waste of resources...

Where will Patek be in five years? Making even more money as Asia continues to buy up more luxury goods.

The shooting video in St. Louis yesterday is relevant. This is not.

If it hasn't found it way to the sift yet I'm sure it will soon.

Way to dig up a video from 2009.

The 5 police officers involved were all terminated.

This ended a 50 mile high speed chase. Notice when he tried to run over the police officer laying down the spike strip?

There are legitimate and current examples of police abuse of real victims...

If your real estate agent is simply telling you, "That's a great offer... probably the best you'll get." They are not doing their job.

Good agents should be giving giving you detailed sales comparables in the area and updating you on inventory and asking prices. It is their job to educate you and your job to make an informed decision.

Keep in mind that many "agents" are also not career real estate people. They pick up a license, sell or list a handful of properties per year, and generally muck things up. They also don't often do repeat business with a client...

That isn't to say that incentives in real estate in general are not broken. They are. I work in commercial real estate. I have had clients for 10+ years that have never paid me directly while they pay their lawyers hundreds of thousands of dollars. Very strange.

Thank you for posting this. Glad I didn't miss it.

It is telling that this is the one issue seemingly everyone on the sift is in agreement on.

*quality

$2000 to $4,000 for an in house movement is relatively cheap in the world of watchmaking.

I was really set on a Nomos Tangente Datum as a dress watch and it may still be on my list, but I have trouble with the look and length of the lugs. Their new Metro watch is really outstanding looking.

The new Tudor Black Bay in Blue/Black has my eye at the moment, but seeing as the Omega Seamaster Ceramic can be had for the same money it is a tough call.

Note: in order to clear up some confusion expressed in the comments with regard to the sound on this clip, the stereo audio recording was made independently of the camera (which has poor sound) and later synched in post production. The 'percussion' sound that can be heard is not a hi-hat or a snare drum, it is possibly audio peaking, (unlikely), or something resonating inside the piano - most likely a broken string. The recorder was placed very close to the back of the instrument near the floor, and was therefore closer to the noise made by loose stuff rattling around inside. I only heard this on playback when I got home - didn't appear on the camera soundtrack.