This Illinois Small Town Had Starbucks Before It Grew Globally

And it all started with one name.

Whether you frequent Starbucks or not, you know their method of communicating with customers.

The barista writes your name on the side of the cup. Then, when your drink is ready, they call your name, thus breaking the barrier between customer and employee.

Starbucks wants you to think of it as more than just a transaction.

So did Bob Arrol in the small town of Arcola, Illinois.

His son Robert said:

Thus began a new town tradition.

Before he knew it, folks would flood to Bob’s store each morning for a cup of coffee with their name on it. It soon came to be known as the “Coffee Club.”

Until 1986 when Bob finally sold the pharmacy, the “Coffee Club” was the talk of the town, where folks would literally talk.

In a tiny location that fit 20 people into 13 available seats, they would discuss current events and local gossip, watch the news on a small TV at the counter and read the newspapers. It was the town’s central nucleus system if you will.

The hub of the town.

But the deal was this.

Because of its popularity, one had to buy 100 cups of coffee before Bob would write your name on it. Each cup cost a mere nickel.

Once you joined the club, you were then given a mug with your name on it that Bob would then keep in the store for you.

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