Oh Starbucks…world domination was just around the corner.

Too bad the housing bubble had to pop and gas prices made the jump, making people think twice about spending $4.50 for a venti espresso drink ( It always irks me when news anchors or uncaffeinated people say “$5 coffee”. OK, SBUX is expensive…but a Grande coffee is $2, not $5.)

Now you’re being forced to close 600 stores across the U.S., and come up with slightly embarrassing new drinks like the Vivanno smoothie (here’s your Jamba Juice substitute decaturmom )

But, for now, the Decatur locale is safe. Not really surprising…based purely on the fact that its got a great location in a haven of coffee-drinking Dems. The full list of Atlanta Starbucks closings can be found on the AJC. Or if you just don’t like relying on the AJC, just do what they did…go to the Starbucks website and click the pdf for “store closings”. (The second Mall of GA location is closing?! NO!!)

Slight aside…but my favorite Starbucks location in all of metro Atlanta is out 78 on the way to Snellville (you know…car dealership row?). On the northern side of the road about a half-mile past Park Place Dr., there’s an old house right on Lake Lucerne that’s been converted (rather sympathetically) into a Starbucks. From inside there are great views of the lake…plus there’s a nice little walkway down to the water. Just a tip in case you ever find yourself driving 78 and need a reprieve from all the sprawl.

[photo courtesy Greenville Daily]