I also prefer independent coffee places. My favorite is the Continental Cafe in West Acton MA. It's low key, a bit of a grungy atmosphere, excellent food, too. Plus, I get to eavesdrop in on conversations, so I get to find out which one of my children's former classmates are in trouble, arrested, etc (just kidding). I get a medium mocha latte with skim milk. mmmmm. I like regular plain black coffee, but I have that everyday. Now that I live in the next town over, I go there because it's like Cheers to me; everybody knows your name. I do go to Main Street cafe in Concord Center, but it is packed with those pesky tourists who are here on a history binge.
I have no problem with Starbucks, although I don't like their coffee as much. Most New Englanders think Dunkin Donuts is a gourmet coffee place. Yuch... I avoid it.