They figured that replacing the station with all the add-ins was a faster and better experience for customer and employee. Can't disagree, since I went to Dunkin for the convenience. I don't know how big the market is for coffee with personal attention (the taste snobs seem to just make their own), but perhaps Philz is laying down the tracks for all sorts of motherly-service-as-a-product to bank the SF zeitgeist.
Hey, whatever happened to that grilled cheese startup?
They ask if you would like milk or sugar added. After they serve it to you, the person who prepared your cup waits for you to taste it and asks how it is. They'll make a cup of coffee exactly how you like it. It's somewhat quaint, but it's also part of their trademark service. Their default ratios for additives are well chosen. I don't normally take cream in my coffee but I usually do at Phil'z.
http://www.gv.com/lib/behind-the-scenes-with-blue-bottle-and...