Finally, they fixed the lightbulb!

I reckon it has been quite a few years since the Starbucks Malioboro outlet fixed their lightbulb. Whenever I am in town, none of my friends like to invite me to have coffee at Starbucks. Most of them think it’s expensive and not too interesting. I, on the other hand, think otherwise, especially this particular outlet that I have a certain affection for.

I visited all Starbucks outlets in town but only this one, despite being located in the heart of Jogja, is always empty. The visitors here are mainly tourists who do not stay long nor open their laptop to work from. Their second floor is always empty and has a proper and comfortable long chair that you can sit on for hours. If you ask me about the coffee, it’s just as good, if not more consistent than its local competitors.

I had been a frequent visitor of this place and one time, they even knew me by name. They know that I treat their Starbucks outlet like my personal office.

I also have an open secret.

If I don’t have money, I’d rather go to Starbucks.

The thing is, I never pay full price at Starbucks because it makes it more economically friendly for me. For instance, rather than paying full price at a regular coffee shop, in Starbucks through their app, I pay half and even not pay at all by utilizing my rewards. I reckon, not a lot of people have tried to redeem their rewards but I have no shame in doing so. Yet obviously, it’s not all the time that I can do that but if I really don’t have money and I need an office during my transit time, I’d go to Starbucks and pay half just to get the amenities that their establishment offers. Does it make sense for others? Maybe not. But last I checked my pyramid of needs looks like : Coffee - and everything else. Food is rather optional.

And to be honest, I have a certain liking for that outlet. It’s like the “office” for me that enabled me to make money. The place has a certain vibe to it that I couldn’t explain and I tried finding similar places elsewhere, it’s just different. I was able to sit down for hours and have my coffee.

Back in the day, even the barista knew I wasn’t the type of person who’d order one for hours. And fun fact, Starbucks is the only place where they don’t shoo you away for staying in too long. So, that’s why it was more convenient for me to stay there and work from inside their outlet.

This time, I visited the place with a budget of $2 and utilizing the perks I had, I still got my favorite matcha and espresso fusion. I like the combination long before people were into matcha as today. It’s like the good amount of caffeine and L-theanine that helps me focus for a longer time than just coffee.

I think a coffee shop can have that affect on you though in recent years, people simply leave Starbucks for better options, I have my own reason to choose that exact same spot.