It seemed like an ordinary LA weekend. The skies were blue, and the coffee lines were long. However, something appeared amiss about that Starbucks sign. No, you didn't read it wrong, and it hasn't been photoshopped. Parody coffee shop Dumb Starbucks opened its first location over the weekend, offering free Dumb Starbucks beverages to all. Everything from the signs and the cups to the menu looked like standard Starbucks paraphernalia — except it all donned a jarring adjective: dumb. Though some thought comedians Dan Harmon and Rainn Wilson, invented this artistic statement, Nathan Fielder, the host of Comedy Central's Nathan For You fessed up to the stunt. Sadly, the Los Angeles County Health Department has shut down the operation due to lack of proper permits, but Nathan has plans to expand to Brooklyn in the coming weeks. In the meantime, take a look at all the outrageously dumb offerings at Dumb Starbucks.
So who had the cash dollars to dream up such an elaborate concept? Meet Nathan Fielder, founder of Dumb Starbucks and host of Comedy Central's Nathan For You, a comedic reality show in which he gives real businesses terrible advice (for example, various contraptions for a germ-free hot dog stand).
In short, Dumb Starbucks can exist under parody law. However, Starbucks reps have already responded,, "We are evaluating next steps and while we appreciate the humor, they cannot use our name, which is a protected trademark."
The signage looks just like authentic Starbucks . . . except for that "dumb" addition.
I'll have one Dumb Chai Tea Latte and two Dumb Iced Cafe Mochas, please!
Every cup lets you know you're drinking a Dumb Starbucks Coffee.
That Taste of Cuba, those Jazz Standards — also dumb.
Nary an item was overlooked, including the dumb badges sewn onto the aprons.
Since Dumb Starbucks was trending on Twitter, the media had to swoop in and interview Dumb Starbucks drinkers.
Not much is different from your average, dumb experience at a typical Starbucks.