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For the love of Peet’s
Dear Peet’s:
I’ve been madly in love with you most of my adult life. I met you in San Francisco when my father introduced us to one another in his old Chestnut Street neighborhood.
Doni, meet Peet’s.
I loved you from the start. I loved the taste of your coffee; unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Ebony in color. Intoxicating in taste. And your aroma, so strong and distinct that I nearly needed to close my eyes to take it all in.
Shelves behind the counter held huge jars filled with a treasure trove of shiny black beans.
People sat near the windows and sipped your coffee as they read newspapers or talked. Everyone looked so content. They belonged at Peet’s. Peet’s was their place.
I felt happy for them, but a bit sad that I had no Peet’s to enjoy in my hometown.
So I compromised. I loved you from afar. A long-distance relationship was better than living completely without you.
At first I stocked up on Peet’s whenever I visited my father. I did that for years and years, until my father died, and I found I didn’t visit San Francisco as often.
I arranged for monthly Peet’s shipments to my doorstep, which always prompted comments from the mail carriers. They said their little trucks were filled with the delicious scent of freshly roasted coffee.
Eventually Peet’s was available for sale in a few Redding stores.
That’s how I get you now. I buy you off a Safeway shelf across from the foil, Saran Wrap and Zip lock bags, not far from the frozen meat section.
But it’s not the same as buying you in a real Peet’s store.
Have I mentioned that Chico has the nearest Peet’s? But that’s more than an hour’s drive from Redding.
Which brings me to why I’m writing. Again. (I emailed you a few years ago to ask if you’d consider moving to Redding. You said you’d consider it.)
Don’t make me beg. I have my pride.
OK, I’ll beg.
Peet’s, my dear, dear Peet’s, please come to Redding. Please.
I’m not the only who loves you. I’m not the only one who wants you here in the north state.
You have many, many devoted fans here. In fact, you’re often the topic of our conversations.
“Don’t you wish we had a Peet’s here?” and “Why won’t Peet’s come here?” and “We don’t need another Starbucks!”
Not that we have anything against (the more than a dozen north state) Starbucks. They hire nice people. And I like Starbucks’ decorating. And I am quite fond of Starbucks’ Tuxedo (also called a Zebra): espresso, half white mocha and half regular mocha.
Starbucks is in such financial trouble that it’s closing about 600 stores, including two in Redding. Both of those stores are in great locations: Redding’s downtown area. One is on Cypress Avenue, across from the Redding City Hall. The other is on California and Placer streets.
Although I happen to think the California and Placer location would be ideal for you, either one would be perfect.
Picture this: Peet’s in downtown Redding. You’d be the darling of downtown. You’d have Peet’s groupies lined up outside your doors every day.
I’d be your No. 1 Peetnik.
Don’t say no.
Do please come to Redding and see for yourself. Better yet, drop me a note and I’d happily be your tour guide. I’ll show you around. Heck, we can meet for coffee. At my house.
I serve Peet’s French Roast.
518 views
did you know that the raley’s in red bluff has a peet’s coffee bar? they changed from java city to peet’s when they remodeled about 6 months ago. maybe peet’s is slowly creeping northward……chico, red bluff, anderson next?, then finally redding?
We discovered Peet’s on a recent trip to Seattle. It was enjoyment from the very first sip. When traveling we always look for Peet’s first and then look for the OTHER coffee shops.
I discovered Peet’s on my first adventure to San Fransisco, and it has never been the same since. It’s a love affair, I can’t lie. I hope they come!
Please, please can we get a Peets? Please….
(Any news on when Grilla Bites will open in Redding?)
Gosh, it’s so nice to be adored. With your plethora of minimum wage earners, I know I could find a sufficient workforce in smoky ol’ Redding. But, I’m not sure if the local clientele would choose me over my nasty, insufferable, insatiable bastard son - Starbucks.
So, tough luck, Redding… maybe after Trader Joe’s opens in 2009, I’ll reconsider.
Al Peet
I too am a Peets fan. It’s just not the same buying at Safeway and brewing yourself. A Peets in Redding would surely drive more Starbucks out! I would be there everyday!
YES!!!! We are Peetnicks as well. We make up excuses to travel through Chico all the time (also to make a TJ’s stop…).
Tried Yaks cappuccino the other day. Very nice! Still want a Peet’s here too. Another good excuse to take a bike ride downtown.
Dave
“Plethora of minimum wage earners” - hm-m-m.
So far I’ve been real happy with Starbucks getting my blood going in the morning. Maybe I’ll give Peets a try, - in 2009.
Doni, I love my coffee, especially in the mall (donut shop); it is good also. Have never tried Peet’s, but will go to Raley’s to try to find it. We used to hear your dad on the radio in Oakland (a long time ago); we also worked in SF. Good to see your website. PJ
I’m a big fan of everything Peet’s. Spent years living in an area that had Peet’s stores, and loved sitting there enjoying their drinks, pastries sometimes, and especially the atmosphere. They play wonderful music, perfect for daydreaming and conversation with a friend. I think they’d develop a loyal clientele in Redding, as it is a different place from Starbucks.
Jan
Been a fan for years; I even have it shipped all the way to France to get my fix; the extra shipping is worth it. A little taste of home, I say….
Yes, Redding does need a Peet’s Coffee House! I’ve written to their coprporate website myself. I got a very polite but noncommital response encouraging me to keep purchasing Peet’s Coffee at my local supermarket.
(Not the same thing!)
Another attraction of an actual Peet’s Coffee House is that it would be a natural magnet for like minded people with discriminating taste to meet and socialize. I like Sue’s Java Cafe, but this seems to be bifurcated younger and older crowd to which I personally don’t quite fit in. The West side needs a Peets.
The Holiday market on Placer serves Peet’s. It’s my coffee of choice. If I’m downtown I try and support Breaking New Grounds (keepin’ it local and all that). I’ve been happy with Dutch Bros. as well. Starbucks always tastes a little scorched, in my humble opinion.
In the meantime…have you tried Coffee Creek on Athens Ave.? They’re a locally owned family business and they blend their own beans to perfection. We feel exactly about them as you do Peets. Try it, you’ll like it!!!!!
DITTO……
Yep…Peets French Roast is simply the BEST coffee on the market. All the other brands I’ve tried have an “aftertaste” or something.
Yes, it is available here at Raley’s in Red Bluff, that’s where I buy mine.
They also serve Peet’s in their bakery expresso bar (thanks Cheryl).
When in Red Bluff….please try Jill’s Main Street Expresso…she uses Boyd’s…BUT the girl makes Killer coffee.
Starbucks is only when desperate.