Hampton Coffee is a mom-and-pop business competing with a big corporate brand. The new Starbucks is being constructed directly across the street from Hampton Coffee. This is causing conflicting feelings for locals.
There are six different Hampton Coffee locations all local to Long Island while there are 16,482 Starbucks stores across the country. Expectations for the new WHB location are that less business will be going to Hampton Coffee because of the new competition across the street. This competition will peak during holidays when the stores compete between their special and seasonal drinks.
When the application came across the WHB Planning Board for a Starbucks, “Members of the public addressed the board, most pertaining to items that are outside of jurisdiction,” according to The Southampton Press.

Other than concerns about traffic, the Planning Board could not base its decision on the public’s concerns about the large chain affecting a local business and the fact that the village doesn’t need another coffee shop, with Caffeine, One Trick Pony, and many delis in the area.
Junior Maggie Kolzan is against having a Starbucks in the village  “upset because I love Hampton Coffee. Starbucks will take customers away from Hampton Coffee.” Maggie says she will stay loyal to Hampton Coffee, “unless I need a cake pop.”
Junior Nate Legelfo feels bringing in a chain store isn’t right in a small town. “I think I’ll make a big difference because it’s taking away customers from Hampton Coffee with our local shop, so it’s very bad.”
What makes Hampton Coffee special to the Westhampton Beach community is how they generously give back to the sports teams and students. As you make your choice of where to get your coffee, remember to support the local businesses who support you.