Seth Godin talked about how small independents are killing the big chains - Smooth Brew is definitely a good example. Starbucks has to serve the average masses with average offerings - not going to see for a long time a coconut guava muffin, or just the tastiest darn feta-squash? Flaky Danish - oh yeah, the coffee was really good too. Most of the staff was really friendly, warm, and helpful. One of the college age crowd had a little smell of that "I am too consumed with myself to truly care about anyone else" - but the others made up for that individual - almost made it 4 stars for that reason.