Goodbye to open doors at Starbucks: the policy change that will affect many ‘customers’

Coffee. It’s a staple for millions of people across the country. It’s even got a neat little nickname. And then there’s just the smell of it when you sit in your local Starbucks, long celebrated as a community hub where you could linger, sometimes without even ordering something to sip on. Well news is in that this is changing, with the popular chain deciding to close the lid on its open-door policy.

If you want to hang out at your local Starbucks or use its restrooms, you’ll need to make a purchase first.

Why is Starbucks changing its open doors policy?

It’s a sharp reversal from the company’s 2018 decision to embrace an open-door policy. That change came after a highly publicized incident where two Black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks during a business meeting. The fallout, captured on video, forced the coffee giant to reckon with policies many viewed as discriminatory.

Now, under the leadership of new CEO Brian Niccol, the company has decided to take a different approach, with an increased focus on the experience of paying customers.

What are the new Starbucks rules?

Starbucks' updated code of conduct, which will be prominently displayed in all company-owned stores across North America, outlines the new expectations. Along with requiring purchases for access, the rules prohibit smoking, vaping, outside alcohol, drug use, panhandling, and any form of harassment or discrimination. Violators could be asked to leave – and if things escalate, the store may involve law enforcement.

“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” spokesperson Jaci Anderson said. But comfort has its limits, it seems, and that includes restricting behaviors that Starbucks employees have increasingly struggled to manage.

While these more restrictive practices from major outlets can sometimes get bad press, in this case it’s likely that paying customers will be very much onboard, brewing up little resistance.

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