This is very true. So I'm in Seattle, home of Starbucks. There are 3 separate Starbucks within 2 blocks of where I live.

And yet, the Starbucks stores are mostly empty and one even is closing down.

Meanwhile, there is a local coffee shop in the same area called Bake Shop that is always bustling and always thriving. People choose to spend money there rather than Starbucks. Why? Because of the ambiance. It's such a cozy and inviting place, warm in the winter and opening windows with plants inside for the spring and summer. It has a warm wooden aesthetic with plenty of tables and comfy chairs both inside and outside. It has a little "community library" attached to the wall outside its door. People borrow books and sit and read in the sun. (I'm always seeing new books in there so clearly their honor system works).

The baristas are nice quirky people who will have fun conversations with you and remember you if you're a regular.

Every day I come there for my morning coffee and often end up spending extra on toast or a cookie or something else. Even in the middle of the week it's busy - I would venture to say it's taken most of the customers away from Starbucks, especially given the boycotts against Starbucks recently. But on the weekends it has people lining up to try and get in because it's that popular.

So yes, you are completely right about the indie coffee shops.

Also, I come from Australia which has one of the best coffee scenes in the world, in fact Starbucks has failed to find a footing there except with tourists, because Australian consumers overwhelmingly prefer their local coffee shops where the quality is better, the coffee is cheaper, and the ambiance is unique and inviting. We like to sit and savor our coffee over a pastry or something. "Grab and go" is only if you are about to go into the office.