Whether we admit it or not, Starbucks plays an irreplaceable role in American lives. With around 40 thousand Starbucks locations worldwide, and over 18 thousand just in North America, consumers constantly look to Starbucks to satisfy their daily coffee cravings. For some, Starbucks is a ritual– an important part of the human routine. For others, the coffee shop is a study spot or a road trip rest stop. Every US state has Starbucks locations, with California leading the way with just over three thousand.
Around Oak Park, the two Starbucks locations on Kanan are jammed with teenagers in the afternoon. Drive-through lines are long and seats are occupied. Middle and high school students flock to their nearest Starbucks before class, after school and even on lunch breaks. The cafe’s wide menu and easily-customizable drinks appeal to those of all ages. However, increasing costs and an always-crowded environment make me wonder if there is an alternative to Starbucks somewhere out there.
Philz Coffee
A California-based coffee shop, Philz has stores across the West Coast and Chicago. The Thousand Oaks location is on Moorpark Road: a perfect and accessible spot for an after-school treat. Like Starbucks, Philz has a variety of drinks on its menu, ranging from the Mint Mojito to an Oatmeal Cookie Coldbrew; my personal favorite is the Honey Haze Latte.
Longevity Coffee
Unlike Starbucks and Philz, Longevity Coffee is not a chain; its only location is in the Skyline Center on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Longevity prides itself on organic, freshly roasted coffee. The environment inside is clean and serene– the perfect spot to get homework done. If you are looking to support local businesses, look no further than Longevity!
La La Land Kind Cafe
Recently having opened up at the Westlake Promenade, La La Land has been receiving lots of attention from teens and adults alike. Their seasonal packaging is reminiscent of Starbucks, but La La Land puts a new spin on the classic coffee shop: merchandise sold in-store, a small menu and indoor-outdoor seating. La La Land began in Dallas, Texas but now has many locations in Los Angeles. My go-to order is the Upside Down Latte.
Five07 Coffee Bar
Five07 started in Thousand Oaks and caters to our community by providing social space and live music. Their menu is small and simple, but offers many classic choices–like the cortado and a flat white. I have yet to try Five07, but I’ll definitely be ordering the Maple Ginger Latte when I do!
