'Dumb Starbucks' Store In Los Feliz Providing A Latte Laughs For Neighborhood
LOS FELIZ (CBSLA.com) — The name is eye-opening enough.
The store is in Los Feliz and it's called "Dumb Starbucks."
The store calls itself a legit coffeehouse and features the same logo and look and colors of the famous "they're everywhere" coffee chain.
Within hours of opening at 1802 Hillhurst Ave., "Dumb Starbucks" became a bit of a sensation via social media — 895 followers and counting. There is also an Instagram post from "The Office" star Rainn Wilson.
Can a store call itself "Dumb Starbucks" without getting into legal trouble?
KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo wanted to find that out and to also discover if the Starbucks was amused. The company told Fajardo this store wasn't one of their own and they were looking into it.
The owners of "Dumb Starbucks" (and they remain a mystery) say that by putting the word "Dumb" in front of the logo, it's parody and protected speech.
Said one patron, "It's dumb and it's free. What more could you ask for?"
Maybe a good cup of coffee?
Fajardo says this is not the place for that. While they call themselves a legit coffeehouse, rumors on the web call it performance art, a TV show, an art gallery.
Another patron sipped their latte and told Fajardo, "This is pretty awful."
Despite that, people are waiting in lines — up to an hour, for the dumb version.
More than likely, they are waiting in line for the cup — part novelty, part collector's item.
"This has to be a reality show. And I see a camera in the espresso machine," another patron said.
Fajardo said the real Starbucks is notorious for protecting its brand and logo. Trouble brewing? Do not expect the Los Feliz location to be there for the long haul.