Starbucks unveiled a new logo Wednesday, its first update since 1992. The new logo features simply the sea maiden, Siren--with no “Starbucks Coffee” or other lettering. The logo will roll out into stores beginning in March, to coincide with Starbucks Corp.’s 40th anniversary.

Starbucks Corp.'s new logo will debut in coffee shops in March.

_{Photo courtesy of Starbucks}

In explanation of the switch to a wordless logo, Starbucks’ chairman, president and CEO Howard Schultz said in a statement: "Our new brand identity will give us the freedom and flexibility to explore innovations and new channels of distribution.” Starbucks joins companies such as McDonald's and Apple who have forgone verbiage in their logos once the brand became world-renowned. With a presence in more than 50 countries via its coffee shops, in-home products and and grocery store products, the coffee brand has come a long way since its original Seattle shop.

Today, there are more than 11,000 Starbucks locations in the United States and more than 16,000 worldwide. Locally, we are just as saturated with Starbucks as any other large city. In California, there were 1,671 Starbucks locations at the end of the 2010 fiscal year. The San Diego area has more than 50 Starbucks locations. The downtown 92101 area clocks in with 15 Starbucks spots--two at Horton Plaza, in case you need a java boost asap while shopping and don't have the strength to walk across the mall.

And there are at least 22 Starbucks within the city limits of San Diego--two of those within the San Diego Airport. La Jolla boasts seven more Starbucks within its city limits.

The proof is in the numbers: wherever you go, there Starbucks is. Even Ocean Beach lost its famous Newport Avenue battle with the green beast in 2001. Hundreds of locals protested against the coffee store; its opening marked the first chain ever to take up residence on the indie avenue. Even today, haters take to yelp.com and other social sites to show their aversion to the large brand's OB location. And yet it survives.

While Starbucks and other large-chain companies are positive additions to local economies, competing with such a big brand can be difficult. Peet's Coffee & Tea has the second-largest coffee-chain presence in the area, with 10 San Diego County locations. And local darling Pannikin Coffee & Tea has just a handful of coffee shops.

Okay, Starbucks, we get it. You're huge--so huge that you no longer need words on your logo. And you're tasty, if perhaps overpriced. Just don't squash the local flavor.