Starbucks Admiration Post Courtesy of a Starbucks Addict

Make that a Starbucks addict with no intention of even trying to reform her ways so don’t even suggest such a thing.

I doth love Starbucks. If it’s a guilty pleasure, I hope to never be innocent. In Owensboro, we have three Starbucks. Apparently the corporation realized where their #1 fan lived and decided to throw me a little love. When we first moved to Owensboro, years ago, we didn’t even have one Starbucks (horrors!). But soon after, they opened a Starbucks Coffee Shop/Store on Frederica Street. Rain, sleet, hail, snow, heat waves – nothing got between me and that Starbucks.

Apparently the gurus of the coffee world appreciated my efforts, because a few years later, they opened one in my favorite grocery store. Oh, yeah, I can grab a cup of sunshine on my way to my vehicle with my groceries – lovely. Soon after, they opened on inside my favorite department store – the big, beautiful Target on Frederica.

It was in this particular Starbucks that I recently tried one of Starbucks newest wonders recently, The Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. Delicious!!! I ordered a cup of their regular hot chocolate and the sweetheart of a girl working behind the counter asked if I’d ever tried the new Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. I told her I hadn’t, but that it sounded interesting. When she called my order and I went to the counter, she handed me my hot chocolate and a big, beautiful sample of the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.

I thought it was very sweet of her to fix me a sample – she didn’t have anything to gain whatsoever by doing so. This Starbucks doesn’t even have a tip jar on the counter. She just went the extra mile for someone and I was impressed. Her thoughtfulness was almost as lovely as her smile, which she never took off.

I’ve noticed something about the Starbucks in Target – every single worker is ridiculously friendly. Don’t get me wrong, they’re the same way in the Kroger Starbucks, it’s just not quite as obvious. I mean, there’s just something about the workers at the Starbucks in Target. Workers often are a reflection of the person who hires them or manages them. Apparently, a really cool person heads the Target Starbucks because each worker is someone special and makes you feel like you’re one of their family members who they are always delighted to see.

Most of the workers in the Kroger Starbucks are the same way. There are a couple of young boys who are so sweet and friendly at that one that I wish I had more daughters to introduce them to! (The 3 I have all have boyfriends that I love to death.) A couple of my favorite workers at this one (two young girls) recently went MIA. I think they went away to college. I miss their pretty faces.

Below are a few Starbucks locations in Kentucky:
Owensboro – I just gave them to you – and they’re all fabulous, but if you’re looking for the friendliest workers, go to Target or Kroger. To be fair, I don’t go to the main one very often. They’ve changed workers entirely. The first, second, and third crews they had were just like the ones in Target – so friendly you didn’t want to leave. Then, I dunno… I think maybe Oscar the Grouch started training the new crew – at least a few.

Paducah – Kentucky Oaks Mall and Lourdes Hospital (Now there’s a great idea. Coffee heals, you know. True story.)

Hopkinsville – US 41 & Clinic

Fort Campbell – Indiana Avenue

Danville – Danville Bypass

London – I-75 & 192 Bypass

Lexington – Boston & Man O` War, Fayette Mall, Nicholasville & New Circle, Winchester and I-75, Richmond Road, University of Kentucky – OVIDS Libr, Kroger -Beaumont Center Cir, Ashland High, U of KY/Lexington – Common`s Market, Virginia & Broadway, U of KY/Lexington – Clinic, Triangle Center, Versailles & Parkers Mill

Louisville – Louisville has 13 Starbucks locations! (Someone remind me again why I don’t live in Louisville.) – so if you find yourself in Louisville and have a strong urge for Starbucks, just turn around.

For other locations, use Starbucks Store Locator. I’d list more but I just thought of something I need from Target.