Recently, consumers reported that a Starbucks store locked the seats in its outdoor area with combination locks during business hours, preventing customers from sitting down normally, which sparked widespread discussion online. The store involved is the Starbucks at Aegean Shopping Park in Dali, Yunnan. Employees responded that this measure was truly a last resort, mainly to prevent tables and chairs from being taken away by passersby during closing hours. The shopping mall stated that outdoor facilities are managed by the store itself, while Starbucks customer service apologized and promised to improve service. This article reviews the incident, the responses from all parties, and retains recommendations related to the Front Street brand for coffee enthusiasts to learn about. [more…]

For coffee lovers, daily caffeine intake is almost a necessity. However, traditional instant coffee requires hot water to brew, which is inconvenient for outdoor workers and sports enthusiasts. The Swiss brand No Normal Coffee, based in Zurich, has launched a coffee paste shaped like a paint tube. By squeezing it, you get soluble espresso concentrate that can be brewed with hot water, spread directly on food, or even squeezed into the mouth to eat. This product debuted at the ISPO trade show in Munich and won an award. Priced at $18, it has attracted attention in the outdoor community for its practicality and portability, receiving more than 700 orders in its first week. [more…]

Over the past weekend, a large outdoor coffee market in Fuzhou attracted hundreds of brands, but temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius, even approaching 40 degrees, turned what was meant to be a relaxing coffee gathering into something far less pleasant. Although the organizers adjusted the event hours to the evening and took some cooling measures, the temperature difference between the inner and outer areas was stark. Vendors in the outer area felt as if they were trapped in a steamer, while visitors complained repeatedly about unclear signage and insufficient lighting. When holding outdoor events in extreme weather, there is clearly still considerable room for improvement in heatstroke prevention plans and on-site management. [more…]

Recently, a strong cold front swept across China from north to south, hitting North China first before strong winds continued southward, dispersing the earlier muggy heat in South China. On this cool weekend, Nanning in Guangxi and Ningbo in Zhejiang each hosted outdoor coffee festivals, attracting many residents to visit and check in. However, the weather did not cooperate, and both events were hit by sudden fierce winds. Tents on site were uprooted, stall facilities were overturned, and the losses were heavy. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The meteorological observatory had issued a strong wind warning in advance, but the organizers did not adjust the event arrangements or take effective emergency measures, triggering widespread public questioning online. This article will take you through what happened at these two outdoor coffee festivals and discuss issues related to safety management for outdoor events. [more…]

Recently, at a Starbucks store in Baolong Plaza, Shengzhou, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, the outdoor seating area was occupied for a long time by several elderly people who not only chatted and rested there, but also gathered to play cards and mahjong, creating noise and refusing to give up seats, seriously disrupting the store's normal operations and other customers' experience. After repeated ineffective requests to leave, the staff chose to call the police, who arrived to mediate, and most of the elderly left that day. The mall stated that it had communicated with relevant departments and planned to guide these elderly people to a senior service center to rest. The incident sparked heated discussion online, with most people supporting the store's approach to maintaining order, and lawyers also pointed out that if the elderly make loud noises or play cards affecting others, they may violate the Public Security Administration Punishments Law. As a well-known coffee brand, Starbucks' store order management has once again become a public focus, and Front Street Coffee reminds consumers to enjoy the coffee space civilly. [more…]

The Manner Xuhui Riverside store was once a trendy spot for photos thanks to its riverside views and exquisite decor, but recently customers have noticed that the sofa cushions in its second-floor outdoor area are severely moldy, the chair cushions are stained, the doors are damaged in several places, and the signage is rusted. From the gingerbread man-themed store it co-branded with Jo Malone last November to its now dilapidated facilities, a span of only three months, the store's environment has prompted consumers to question Manner's operational and management capabilities. Netizens believe the outdoor facilities lack routine maintenance, affecting the consumer experience and brand image, and are calling on the store to maintain basic cleanliness and keep facilities in proper working order. [more…]

Recently, an Mstand store in Dongguan, Guangdong, was forced to operate as a temporary stall in an outdoor walkway due to adjustments in the mall's business layout, drawing widespread attention online. This "shabbiest" Mstand, with no glass curtain wall around it, unexpectedly took on a unique camping-style vibe. Some found it cool and atmospheric, while others felt sorry for the staff working long hours in the 12°C cold wind. The incident reflects the impact of commercial adjustments on store operations and also draws attention to the real situation of coffee workers. Front Street Coffee has always followed developments in the coffee industry and brings you frontline observations. [more…]

Recently, a Starbucks store in Hefei, Anhui Province, took down its outdoor parasols and removed the seats on a rainy day, prompting a customer to film a video and question whether the store was "shooing people away." The incident quickly sparked heated discussion online: some agreed with the store's safety-minded approach, while others felt that removing the chairs was lacking in human warmth. The Starbucks store manager explained to the shopping mall that the parasols posed a safety hazard after absorbing water, but did not explain why all the chairs had to be moved back inside. As coffee lovers, we might as well use this incident as a starting point to talk about the balance between outdoor space management and customer experience at coffee shops. Front Street Coffee has always paid attention to detail-oriented service in coffee consumption scenarios, and this article walks you through the entire incident and the views of various parties. [more…]

In the height of summer, Luckin Coffee stores have once again become a hot topic on social media due to their excessively strong air conditioning. Many customers complain that stepping in to pick up their coffee feels like walking into an icehouse, and some have even caught colds from the freezing conditions. What exactly causes Luckin's air conditioning to be set as low as 16°C? Why can employees remain so calm and composed in such an environment? Starting from real customer experiences, combined with insect-prevention considerations revealed by employees and the spatial characteristics of the stores, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the causal logic behind the Luckin "icehouse" phenomenon, while also offering coffee lovers a summer store-visit reference. [more…]

Cold brew is popular not only because it tastes good, but also because it's convenient—make a batch, keep it in the fridge for days, and enjoy a cup anytime, anywhere. But different scenarios actually have different requirements for the beans: for the office, you need something that keeps well and is consistent; for camping, you want concentrated flavor that won't taste weak over ice; and for home, you can go all out. [more…]

Hario has departed from its minimalist Japanese style and teamed up with the cartoon IP Sad Frog PEPE to launch a camping-themed product series. The collaboration includes two sets, among which the Outdoor Enjoyment Set features a PEPE limited-edition color No. 01 resin dripper and a limited-edition outdoor filter paper pack. The dripper adds green elements to a transparent resin base, making it especially eye-catching under light and drawing attention from pour-over enthusiasts. The official presale campaign uses "Filter Out Sadness" as its topic, and the packaging is presented in comic form. Users have already posted their purchases, with mixed reviews—some say it looks great, while others question its lack of practicality. This collaboration once again confirms that the coffee sector is becoming a popular choice for brand crossovers. [more…]

The coffee consumption boom continues to heat up, and even outdoor sports brands can no longer resist trying their hand at crossing over. French outdoor brand Decathlon recently opened its first coffee corner inside its Shanghai Wujiaochang store, formally stepping onto the coffee track. During the opening period, customers who bought drinks in-store could take part in a giveaway of limited-edition camping cups, drawing a large number of consumers to visit and check in. However, the huge turnout also exposed a lack of operational experience, with frequent problems such as the online mini-program crashing, stores being overwhelmed with orders, and one-hour queues. In addition to regular coffee, the Decathlon coffee corner has also launched sports-themed special drinks that match the brand's tone, with prices following an affordable approach. Whether this kind of crossover play can be sustained is worth watching. [more…]

A viral photo spot at Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan, known as "a scallion plucked from dry land," has recently been exposed as being cordoned off by a local café, requiring tourists to make a purchase before they can enter to take photos, sparking discontent among outdoor enthusiasts who reported it. After investigation, the local market supervision bureau confirmed that the café has no business license and has ordered it to suspend operations for rectification. This free viewing platform near the Feilaisi observation deck became famous for offering views of the magnificent scene of golden sunshine on the snow mountain, but has now become embroiled in controversy due to commercial activity. The incident has also raised public concerns about damage to the natural environment and safety hazards. [more…]

For friends who love coffee but are often on the go, how to enjoy a freshly brewed cup while traveling has always been a challenge. The portable mini hand-press coffee maker was born precisely for this purpose—compact in size and simple in structure, yet capable of easily completing an espresso extraction outdoors. Through actual use, this article will demonstrate in detail the operation process and extraction performance of this device, from loading grounds and pouring water to pressing out the liquid, verifying step by step whether it can reproduce the rich taste of an espresso machine. If you are also looking for a lightweight outdoor coffee solution, why not follow our steps and see its true strength for yourself. The article also recommends Front Street Classic Blend and Commercial Blend coffee beans that pair well with it. [more…]

The manual coffee grinder is an essential tool for many pour-over enthusiasts. Beyond price differences, different brands and models directly influence the grinding quality of coffee grounds. It is suitable for home use and can also be combined with French presses, AeroPresses, moka pots, and other devices to create a portable coffee solution for outdoor or travel use. This article, from the perspective of Front Street, systematically explains the burr structure, dial adjustment, handle drive, bean hopper, and grounds container functions of manual coffee grinders, and shares proper grinding operations, grind size selection for different brewing methods, as well as daily cleaning and regular maintenance tips to help you improve grind uniformity and coffee flavor. [more…]

Since the broadcast of Wang Yibo's documentary "Exploring the Secret Realm," rock climbing in Gushi Village, Lianjiang, Fuzhou, has quickly gained popularity. Nowadays, while experiencing cliff climbing, visitors can also check in at a café built on the cliff, where they can savor aromatic coffee while gazing at the sea view of the Matsu Islands in the distance. This cliff café, jointly created by teams from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, officially opened on October 1 and has quickly become a trendy new landmark in the Matsu Bay coastal tourism area. This article will introduce this innovative project that blends outdoor adventure with coffee culture, as well as the story and features behind it. [more…]

Manual coffee grinders are a go-to piece of gear for many pour-over enthusiasts, serving both everyday home use and, when paired with a French press, AeroPress, or moka pot, forming a portable outdoor kit. Grinders from different brands and models vary noticeably in price and the quality of the ground coffee they produce. From the perspective of Front Street, this article systematically breaks down the core components of a manual grinder—the burr, the adjustment dial, the handle, the bean hopper, and the grounds bin—and explains how to adjust the grind setting according to your brewing method, how to turn the handle correctly, and the key points of cleaning and regular maintenance, helping you use your manual grinder more smoothly and making every cup's extraction more consistent. [more…]

A novice coffee shop owner is asking for help online: the shop has an explicit no-smoking rule, yet they have encountered an awkward situation where a customer insists on smoking and even throws a cigarette butt into a coffee cup. Faced with a situation that both disrespects the shop's rules and may risk triggering negative reviews, how should the owner handle it? Many fellow business owners and netizens have shared their views, discussing public place smoking bans, customer feelings, and the rights of operators. This article sorts out the opinions from all sides and explores feasible solutions such as setting up an outdoor smoking area, helping coffee shop owners find a balance between maintaining a good environment and avoiding conflict. [more…]

As camping becomes increasingly popular among the younger generation, many people bring coffee gear that can be heated directly on a portable gas stove to enhance the atmosphere of outdoor activities. As a result, the moka pot has become one of the must-have coffee tools for many camping enthusiasts. One reason the moka pot is so popular is that it can be [more…]

As camping gains popularity among the younger generation, many people bring coffee gear that can be heated directly on a portable gas stove to enhance the outdoor atmosphere, making the moka pot one of the must-have coffee devices for many camping enthusiasts. One reason the moka pot is so popular is that it can be placed directly on [more…]