She added that the Central Square Business Association, which represents local shops, was "helpful" and "supportive" of establishing a new Starbucks location.

Keith Brown, a shift supervisor at the new coffee shop, said the Starbucks management team had taken pains to make the new branch blend into its multicultural environment.

"It's a little more artistic in the decor," Brown said, "to fit in with the funky vibe of Central Square.

Brown said the quality of coffee would make Starbucks distinctive in Central Square.

"We have the best coffee that we can get," Brown said. "We only brew coffee for an hour--as soon as that hour is over, we don't serve it."

In addition to its rigid quality controls, Starbucks has a solid track record for philanthropy. Since 1994, its Boston-area branches have supported the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Head of the Charles Regatta and the Boston Public Library.

On Saturday, the company held a "Holiday Party" for the public at its new Central Square location in support of the Cambridge Public Library's Illiteracy Prevention Program.

The store gave a cup of free coffee to anyone who donated a children's book to the program. According to Brown, customers donated about 40 books. A guitar player and photographer were on hand to add to the revelry.

"I think it's important to get involved in the community," said Lynn Schulte, the regional marketing director for Starbucks, adding that such community-oriented events were "typically" planned for launching new Starbucks coffeeshops.

But Duritz said he wasn't impressed.

"All corporations do public relations charity work, but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that they're doing this to look good," he said.

Managers at the other coffee shops in Central Square, however, painted a different picture. Some, however, were optimistic that the arrival of Starbucks would be good for business.

"We're hoping our business will increase," said John Berosh, a manager at the 1369 Coffeehouse, just up Mass. Ave. from the new Starbucks.

"We have a very faithful clientelle, and they're becoming even more faithful in their opposition to Starbucks," he added.

Berosh added that some Central Square residents had contemplated vandalizing the new store to protest its arrival.