Indie coffee shops are meant to counter corporate behemoths like Starbucks – so why do they all look the same?

By Conrad Kickert, Associate Professor of Architecture, University at Buffalo
Jeffrey Parker, Assistant Professor of Urban Sociology, University of New Orleans
Kelly Gregg, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, University at Buffalo

Like many young, urban professionals, we run on coffee. We especially enjoy frequenting independently owned cafes that pride themselves on ethically sourced beverages, strong local ties and a hip aesthetic.

They’re the kinds of places that sneer at the homogenization and predictability of Tim Hortons, Second Cup, Dunkin and Starbucks.

But as public space and consumer…

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