Starbucks to close stores, including one in Philadelphia. Company claims safety concerns

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, KYW

PENNSYLVANIA NEWS

Starbucks to close stores, including one in Philadelphia. Company claims safety concerns

By Dee-Ann Durbin
Associated Press • Jul 13, 2022 at 1:58 pm

Starbucks is closing 16 stores around the country because of repeated safety issues, including drug use and other disruptive behaviors that threaten staff.

The coffee giant is closing six stores in its hometown of Seattle, six in Los Angeles, two in Portland, Oregon and one each in Philadelphia and Washington. Starbucks said employees at those stores will be given the opportunity to transfer to other stores. ... The Philadelphia store is at 10th and Chestnut streets in Center City.

Starbucks said Tuesday the closures are part of a larger effort to respond to staff concerns and make sure stores are safe and welcoming. In a letter to employees, Starbucks’ senior vice presidents of operations Debbie Stroud and Denise Nelson said the company’s stores aren’t immune from problems like rising drug use and a growing mental health crisis.

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[jimfields33]

1. I'm wondering if their policy that they can hang out even if they don't

buy anything may have gone too far. Certainly sounded like a great policy, but that darn reality gets in the way.

[Tree-Hugger]

2. That sucks

The Starbucks in Philly at 10th and Chestnut is in a gorgeous historical building. It's next to the main hub of the gigantic Jefferson Hospital and University. That Sbux gets a fuckton of business. I used to work right there for Jefferson as a teen and my dad worked and taught there forever. He likely frequented that Starbucks A LOT. The area isn't horrid, for downtown Philly, but it's always had issues with smaller crimes. Now, more open drug use is increasingly prominent as well.