With genuine sympathy for those laid off; I want to be optimistic that this will make more room for indies and secondary chains.
I remember when the chain side of the equation featured:
Starbucks
Second Cup (with a much larger number of locations)
Timothy's
Grabba Java
Pam's
And a few others.
Along with a decently robust section of indies.
Today, the number of indies is down a bit.
But there really isn't any 'chain' competition outside of the super-sized indies like Balzac's (for whom I have a great fondness)
*****
Things I want in my coffee shop:
Good Coffee (can't find that at Starbucks)
Good Pastry (can't find that at Starbucks)
Outlets that are unique, not exactly like the shop 2 blocks away
Comfy seats
Ideally, a fireplace, really nice on a cold winter's day
Newspapers; i still enjoy a Sunday morning browsing the New York Times
Live music on Friday/Saturday evenings. (used to enjoy free, acoustic guitar shows at a coffee shop in the Beach 20 years ago0
Full-time staff, with decent wages/benefits
Starbucks is not my preferred outpost.
But I still sympathize w/those losing their jobs.