Starbucks: 'We're Not Corporate America'

aren't convinced , the Burbank Leader reported.

, but Starbucks representatives displayed sketches from Architects Orange with merchants Thursday during the Montrose Park Shopping Association meeting.

Starbucks is applying for two Glendale permits, including a parking reduction and condition of use permit that would categorize the location at 2284 Honolulu Ave. as a fast food restaurant, Tim Foy, Assistant Director of Community Planning Department, told Patch.

The location is across the street from .

"We're not corporate America," Mike Abbate, store development manager, told the Leader. "That's not part of our fiber."

, host of Straight Talk Wealth Radio, wants to bring live theater to Montrose and started a dialogue about it:

I think the time might be right to come together. I envision a marquee on that corner with this weekend's show, and a delightful acting school for our kids during the week. Sorry Starbucks.

It's time we met, got to know each other and spark a dream. I want to meet successful actors, directors, producers, business people, restauranteers, moms, coaches and anyone who knows other local people. We can have a talk together.

Sparr Heights resident Melanie McKinnell wrote a letter last week, saying that :

The last thing Montrose needs is more cars driving the streets and trying to park. The charm of Montrose is its Mom and Pop atmosphere and having everyone walk the streets with the kids and pets.

argued that :

In this case Color Me Mine is moving to a newly empty space (filling a void) while downsizing to keep their doors open, definitely a good thing! Starbucks would move into their old space filling another void.

Patch blogger Kristen Shadburn said :

There are four corners in that intersection, the center point of The Montrose Shopping Park, and we want two mainstream coffee shops, and as the focal point of the street. Forget the foot traffic argument, forget the parking argument, bottom line is that in order to make The Montrose Shopping Park a successful area, they need to consider the brand. When people shop at The Montrose Shopping Park they are there for the experience. If they just fill open buildings to anyone who will pay, the street and its stores will not succeed. It will just end up being a hodge podge of stores and restaurants that are not attractive to the consumer when competing with other shopping areas.

If you are interested in participating in a community forum about the proposed Starbucks, please comment on this story or email at nicole.charky@patch.com.