I miss the local coffee shops, even the high end ones. When I lived in Boulder, the cafes served drinks in real glasses. They cost a fortune too ($3 for a mocha latte in 1994), but they were also mini-to medium-sized bookstores with worn floors. They were like "Cheers" without the alcohol but were caffeine-fueled communities. Every once in a while, I run across a single-proprietorship cafe, but they usually come across as gimmicky.
Things seem to run in cycles. I have hopes that one day Starbucks will lose the stranglehold it seems to have. Then, just like craft beers, small shops will open to a warm welcome. But right now it seems we are stuck with it, similar to when America was pretty much stuck on tasteless, mass-produced beers.
The craft beer industry boom is a very interesting comparison. I would love to see a variety of personally produced coffee options (same thing for tea and other beverages) available in one place. It's difficult since coffee doesn't have a host bar culture where proprietors don't own their pick of poison and local cafes typically choose 1 brand to serve.