For years now, Cheryl and I have been taking full advantage of the “buy 7 drinks, get the 8th free” deal being offered at Safeways that wisely feature an embedded Starbucks. Our latest Safeway receipt claims that we’ve enjoyed nearly 40 free espresso drinks as part of this program, but I know for a fact that this counter reset a couple years ago, so I’d guess the total is closer to 60 or higher. These gratis grandes were not achieved accidentally; our enthusiasm for this offer was such that we would happily drive past nearer, non-Safewayed Starbucks to get to the enveloped version down the street. Grocery shopping was frequently an anticipated outing, as the trip was usually capped off with a visit to the baristas slinging java next to the table full of used DVDs for sale. We would frequently anticipate that 8th drink and plunder its depths by ordering a venti, putting on a mild show of delighted surprise when the teller informed us that we could put the plastic away.
Two days ago, however, we received a horrifying announcement in the mail. Safeway sent us a flier with a bold announcement that this deal will be ending June 30. They made a weak attempt to head off our inevitable outrage by including a few coupons for free grande drinks. But this served only to fuel our caffeine-free dismay. No longer will our trips out for bananas, hard lemonade, and bagged salad hold the promise of re-invigoration at 7/8ths the price (prorated).
I still have a month left. I’ll be sure to enjoy every free grande non-fat 3-pump mocha (light whip) as if it were my last…
house of haug 
The only viable solution is to get after it. Between the two of you and Anni, I am sure eight drinks a day is doable.
What’s next? No more Cheap Lunch at the Engineering School?
Oh, man. I almost forgot about those. I would stack those crappy chips high on top of the slabs of Papa John’s worst, and still find some room on the side for the generic oreo’s.
Simpler days, my friend.
We have Papa John’s commercials, but no Papa John’s within conceivable pizza-ordering distance. I’m not sure this is a loss, exactly, but for some reason, I still find the commercials to be taunting.
Then again, I probably overglamorize Papa John’s in my memory simply because it wasn’t Imo’s. And because they were across the street.
See y’all tomorrow. If you can spare the time away from SafeBucks.
Your memory is making things better — Cheap Lunch was always Domino’s, which IMO is worse, espcially with all the crumbs they put on the bottom.
Whereever will you find coffee in Seattle?
BTW, I was just in st. louis last weekend for Casey Levin’s wedding to Jenny Dehne’s sister Emily. They started dating at Lance and Jenny’s wedding, when he was best man and she was maid of honor 🙂