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| - The Eastern at Russell Starbuck's is one of the local coffee shops that I call home during some me time after a hard day's work. After hours working my fingers to the bone, I enjoy getting on the Starbuck's WiFi where I connect with the world over a Starbuck's beverage.
My Starbuck's beverage of choice is the cup of drip coffee sweetened with pumpkin spice syrup. The dilemma is that Starbuck's only offers it from mid September til Christmas or when it runs out. Once the pumpkin spice runs out, I revert to my second Starbuck's beverage of choice: the cafe Americana.
One of the coffee shops that I call home after work is busy. It is located by the busy crossroads of Eastern at Russell in the shadow of McCarren International Airport, McCarren Marketplace, homes, and commercial buildings. Nearly every time I go here there is a lengthy cue of cars leading to the drive thru. The cue is often so long that I have to carefully maneuver between cars stopped for the line. Additionally the cues are so long that I park at the side of the building to avoid the possibility of a fender bender. The body atmosphere carries over from the drive thru to inside where there is ordinarily a line with few vacant tables. Waiting on line could be enjoyable. During the Christmas season, as I wait my turn, I enjoy taking in the presentation of Christmas cookies and pastries. By the way, Starbuck's now sells a gingerbread Starbuck's store.
When I get to the front of the line, there is usually a pleasant batista that exchanges my money for a Starbuck's beverage. After the latest price increase I am often exchanging $2.76 with a tall (in Starbuck's limbo tall equals short) cup of drip coffee with pumpkin spice syrup.
After picking up my coffee, I head to the table toward the back near the portraits of an old McCarren Airport. If my table of choice is occupied, I will sit at one of the tables by another portrait of an old McCarren International Airport in the main part of the cafe. Where I don't end up sitting is on a comfortable couch. What is missing from this Starbuck's is a presence of couches and plush seats.
The best part of waking up after work is Starbuck's in my cup. As long as I work nearby, my return visits to the Eastern at Russell Starbuck's are guaranteed.
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