Dumb Starbucks was a Hoax

waffles

February 11, 2014

The boldly sarcastic coffee shop calling itself “Dumb Starbucks” which sprouted up in Los Angeles was a hoax from a Comedy Central TV host.

Nathan Fielder of Comedy Central’s “Nathan for You” announced that Dumb Starbucks was just a publicity stunt. The coffee shop appeared over the weekend, citing parody laws as a way to skirt trademark infringement. Drinks were given away using familiar Starbucks names, but included the word “dumb,” such as “Dumb Tall” or “Dumb Frappuccino.”

As Fielder spoke to reporters Monday, the shop was closed by the LA Health Department for operating without a permit.

As Dumb Starbucks gave away coffee, along with pastries from the grocery store Vons, curious customers waited in line for up to three hours to see the bizarre location for themselves. Throngs of patrons posed for pictures in front of the Dumb Starbucks sign and took home paper cups which included the “Dumb” logo.

“There have been lines around the block and very few small businesses get that from the start,” Fielder told reporters.

Starbucks eventually weighed in on the prank, writing in an email, “While we appreciate the humor, they cannot use our name, which is a protected trademark.”