Stock up on those lattes

As you might have heard, all 7,100 Starbucks will be closed for three-and-a-half hours today starting at 5:30 p.m. (L.A. time) so that baristas can re-learn the way to make coffee. The chain has been on the ropes as of late with some notable missteps (a line of breakfast sandwiches did not go over well) and lots more competition. “They will be trained in creating the perfect shot, steaming the milk and all the pieces that come together in a drink,” a spokeswoman told the Seattle Times. All of which presents an opportunity for other coffee shops. From the Guardian:

Coffee Klatch, a small Los Angeles outfit, said it will offer free coffee to all customers while its bigger rival goes dark. “I’m not sure why it’s going to take them three hours to learn how to press a button,” said Coffee Klatch’s owner, Mike Perry, who described his own beverages as “expertly crafted” in contrast to Starbucks’ machines.