Future Starbucks brews up more competition in York coffee shop scene

Per the recent news that a Starbucks would be making its way into Manchester Township:

York, PA - The Manchester Township Supervisors give final approval for a land development plan for a Starbucks on Route 30 and Toronita Street where there is now an abandoned Bob Evans restaurant.

Starbucks is planned to be an anchor of a six lot shopping plaza.

Leases have not yet been signed for the other five spots in the plaza. And, it is possible that any future tenants could take up more than one lot space, Themi Sacarellos, co-owner and developer of the land, said.

Construction is expected to start in the middle of the summer, Sacarellos said.

The old Bob Evans building will be torn down The Starbucks, which has a drive-through window, is expected to be open by November, he said.

For Starbucks fans in or around the area, this is great news. But for fans of the more localized coffee shops, the added competition from a national chain in the area could brew some trouble.

I live in the city, and although I'm not a coffee shop fanatic, I've made my way into the New Grounds Roasting Co on Market Street and The Green Bean Roasting Co on Beaver. I worked as a barista at a local coffee shop back in Ohio, so I can at least appreciate the unique vibe places like those can offer.

Out of curiosity, I did a Google search of "coffee shop york pa" and looked at the map (see above). The lettered pins show the results that came up. The obnoxious red dot I drew on there indicates where the future Starbucks will make its home.

My initial observations are that unless you're actually heading into the city, Starbucks isn't going to sway too many customers away from the local shops. People making their way up and down Route 30, though, soon will have their choice between Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, which also is a national chain.

However, let's say your commute involves driving on Route 30 as you make your way into the city. That could be the local shops' biggest challenge: How can they persuade the traveling coffee drinking to get his or her espresso fix at the local coffee bar instead of the java giant?

Added to the little guys' concerns should be that it seems people who don't live in the city hate parking in the city. This future Starbucks also boast a drive-thru window, meaning people won't even have to get out of their cars.

So how do the local shops compete? Will prices be enough of a difference? Can they survive on vibe alone?

It'll be interesting to see.