Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy, Now Makes You Buy Something to Stay
The coffee chain has changed its rules – you’ll need to buy something to hang out in their stores or use their bathrooms. This ends their six-year policy of letting anyone stay. New rules about behavior are being put in place across North America.
“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores. By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone,” said Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson to ABC11 in Raleigh/Durham, NC.
The new policy bans certain behaviors: drug use, smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, and asking for money. Staff will learn how to deal with people who break these rules, and can call police if someone won’t leave.
This change is very different from what happened in 2018, when police arrested two Black men at a Philadelphia store. That incident led to their previous open-door policy. “We don’t want to become a public bathroom, but we’re going to make the right decision a hundred percent of the time and give people the key,” said Howard Schultz in 2018.
Safety problems got so bad that 16 stores had to close in 2022. Workers and customers kept reporting people causing problems.
This policy tries to fix store problems while making more money. CEO Brian Niccol wants their stores to feel like community coffee shops again.
The changes start right away. Every store will put up signs showing what behavior is okay.
The company is trying to balance being welcoming while keeping stores safe. They’ve been criticized before about how they handle disruptions and safety issues.
