Coffee battle brewing as new Starbucks comes to Uptown Normal

Posted on April 25, 2017
Starbucks
A new Starbucks is scheduled to open at the Hyatt Hotel in Uptown Normal. (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Starbucks is coming to Uptown Normal, anticipating demand for its iconic coffee brew even though two locally owned coffee shops have been in business there for years.

City Manager Mark Peterson told WJBC’s Sam Wood that Starbucks will open, perhaps in time for the fall semester at Illinois State University, in retail space at the Hyatt Hotel.

Peterson said Starbucks and Hyatt owners have been in talks about the location for quite some time.

“It’s exciting,” Peterson said. “It’s another nice addition to Uptown.”

Starbucks has a half-dozen stores in Bloomington-Normal, and Peterson said it’s obvious the company sees a market in Uptown. Local competitors CoffeeHound and CoffeeHouse are also in Uptown Normal. Peterson says the two businesses might be a little anxious about new competition, but he believes they have nothing to worry about because of their loyal followings.

“I think this presents customers in Uptown with just another choice,” Peterson said. “From what I can see, those two coffee houses in Uptown will be just fine.”

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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