GOOD DAY FOR: Art imitating life, as the audience for TV shows about housing is booming, even as the housing market collapses. More people are tuning into HGTV and TLC as the cable networks retool their shows to emphasize remodeling rather than selling, and the emotion of defeat to the elation of successful house-flipping. (The New York Times, free registration)
BAD DAY FOR: Old World cafe culture, after Starbucks said it will open 150 more coffee shops in Europe, in partnership with British food-retail operator SSP. It is Starbucks’ largest licensing deal outside the U.S. The new locations will be in airports and train stations. Starbucks is expanding abroad as its U.S. growth stagnates. Its first stores in Mexico and Argentina opened earlier this month. (Reuters)
