The Coffee Shop
Dumb Starbucks Coffee, which parodies the design of a coffee giant chain store, appeared seemingly out of nowhere over the weekend as a pop-up store in a nondescript Hillhurst Avenue location in Los Feliz, Calif.
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Image Credit: Photo Credit: Brandon Kirby -
The Coffee Shop
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Brandon Kirby There was a reasonably long line — dozens of people — waiting for a novelty brew on Sunday.
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The Coffee Shop
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jeff Castelaz Perhaps due to its impeccably rendered versions of the shop sign, menu and coffee cup design, the store has drawn attention on social media. Community showrunner Dan Harmon and The Office comedian Rainn Wilson happened to boost the profile of the shop by sharing links to Dumb Starbucks images.
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Baristas
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Brandon Kirby One barista told The Hollywood Reporter that he was hired two weeks ago when he found the posting on Craigslist. "Our boss wasn't prepared for all this, that's why we're short staffed," he said. There wasn't any word yet on who's behind the parody pop-up store.
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Long Lines
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Brandon Kirby There were only a few tables inside of Dumb Starbucks, and patrons who were served didn't seem to stick around too long. There was a working espresso machine (but no working steam wand) and a drip coffee maker
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The Menu
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jeff Castelaz Starbucks coffee only briefly commented on the pop-up store. "We're aware and this isn't a Starbucks location and we're looking into it," Starbucks rep Megan Adams told THR.
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Barista Apron
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jeff Castelaz Alongside a non-functioning cash register, CDs like "Dumb Nora Jones Duets" [sic] and "Dumb Jazz Standards" are stocked.
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Barista Hat
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jeff Castelaz Baristas were outfitted in branded clothing.
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Coffee Cup
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jeff Castelaz All of the coffee, brewed by two baristas, is free (tips appreciated). They also have pastries, apparently purchased from Vons, that are also free for the taking for now.
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FAQs
Image Credit: Photo Credit: Brandon Kirby In a Frequently Asked Questions page seen in the shop, a few basic questions are addressed. The FAQ notes that, despite being a parody store, the operation also intends to be businesslike. "Although we are a fully functioning coffee shop, for legal reasons Dumb Starbucks needs to be categorized as a work of parody art. So, in the eyes of the law, our 'coffee shop' is actually an art gallery and the 'coffee' you're buying is actually the art. But that's for our lawyers to worry about. All you need to do is enjoy our delicious coffee!"