Also Known as “Splash Stick,” “Lid Sip Hole Plug,” & “Green Thing” (Just Don’t Call it a “Swizzle Stick”) Want to know why you can get one of those “dip sticks” (my term) at Starbucks ” but not at Caribou, Dunn Bros., or other coffee chain? Starbucks has a patent on it. Or more specifically,...Read More
Is That Democrats’ Sense of Patriotism Talking? Or Their Self-Interest? [Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.] Since Starbucks’ Howard Schultz announced on 60 Minutes last Sunday that he may run...Read More
Also Known as “Splash Stick,” “Lid Sip Hole Plug,” & “Green Thing” (Just Don’t Call it a “Swizzle Stick”) Want to know why you can get one of those “dip sticks” (my term) at Starbucks ” but not at Caribou, Dunn Bros., or other coffee chain? Starbucks has a patent on it. Or more specifically,...Read More
Coffee Kiosks If you’re looking for a local Starbucks to get your morning caffeine fix, you’re out of luck. Fortunately, in much of the west — including Missoula, Montana, where I’m briefly visiting — there are free-standing coffee kiosks instead. The drill: drive up on the right side, place your order, and pay; then, drive...Read More
Also Known as “Splash Stick,” “Lid Sip Hole Plug,” & “Green Thing” (Just Don’t Call it a “Swizzle Stick”) Want to know why you can get one of those “dip sticks” (my term) at Starbucks — but not at Caribou, Dunn Bros., or other coffee chain? Starbucks has a patent on it. Or more specifically,...Read More
“Top Ten” Signs How do you know you’ve stumbled across a “too-trendy” neighborhood? My list of “Top Ten” signs follows (below). Any resemblance to certain (unnamed) Twin Cities neighborhoods is purely. . . intentional. For the record, though, the neighborhood in question was The Marina in San Francisco, near where my family was staying the other week. 10....Read More
