Starbucks in Southampton Village. Yea or Nay?
The possibility of Starbucks opening in Southampton has long been a looming specter for many residents and business owners who want the corporate chain to stay out of their village, but others have welcomed the idea that they could get their Frappuccino fix without having to drive to Hampton Bays or Bridgehampton.
Starbucks has applied to open in the presently vacant storefront at 29 Hampton Road. Site plan approval is needed before Starbucks can begin remodeling the space into a café. A new coffee shop there would compete with Blue Duck Bakery and Citarella across the street, as well as Village Gourmet Cheese Shoppe and Golden Pear on Main Street.
John Bennett, a Southampton attorney who is representing Starbucks in this matter, said Thursday that Starbucks already has the health department and architectural review board approvals it needs. Now, all that remains is for the planning board to sign off on the site plan, which Bennett expects will happen this month or in December.
The application calls for a 16-seat café.
Starbucks has never had a location in Southampton Village before, but there was one at 20 County Road 39—presently a Dunkin’ Donuts/pizzeria—from 2005 through 2008. That Starbucks was shuttered as part of 600 closings nationwide initiated in 2008 when the company contracted domestically.
A new Starbucks in the village is sure to be popular with many, though some will boycott. How do you feel about a Southampton Starbucks? Take our poll and share your thoughts below.
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