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Starbucks' Closing Of Stores Is 'Just The Beginning,' Says CEO

Discussion in 'Too Hot for Swamp Gas' started by flgator2, Jul 25, 2022.

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  1. Jul 25, 2022 #1
    flgator2

    flgator2 Premium Member

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    Starbucks' Closing Of Stores Is 'Just The Beginning,' Says CEO (msn.com)

    On July 12, it was reported that Starbucks plans to permanently close 16 stores. The reason? Reported safety concerns in markets including Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Portland, and Washington, D.C., according to The Wall Street Journal.

    The company says it became aware of safety issues in its stores after reading incident reports from employees, referred to as partners, who recalled members of the public using drugs in the coffee chain's bathrooms, as well as other disturbances. Starbucks told the Los Angeles Times that its six soon-to-close LA-area stores "have experienced a high volume of challenging incidents that make it unsafe to continue to operate," and it plans "to open new locations with safer conditions." Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz recently spoke to employees on the topic and suggested that more closures are on the way.

    Though Starbucks claims "employees' personal safety" is the main issue behind the closures, some partners are concerned that they're actually retaliation for unionization efforts, seeing as three of the stores were either unionized or planning to hold a vote soon. Twitter account Starbucks Worker Solidarity interviewed an employee of one of the soon-to-close locations, who called the move "an act of union busting" and said their store environment was "quiet" and not unsafe. Starbucks has denied any correlation.

    The company's website outlines a message to its partners, outlining a list of ways it will combat safety issues within stores. The list includes safety training for all stores and also revealed that locations can be equipped with new alarm systems and bathroom occupancy sensors. Considering Schultz's remarks, though, the safety measures will not curtail more closures on the horizon.

    Well, most of the cities named are in the news a lot for drugs and other crimes, can't blame them
     
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  2. Jul 25, 2022 #2
    96Gatorcise

    96Gatorcise GC Hall of Fame

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    This just means there will be a few cities with just 3 Starbucks on every corner.:D
     
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  3. Jul 25, 2022 #3
    BigCypressGator1981

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  4. Jul 25, 2022 #4
    flgator2

    flgator2 Premium Member

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    Very true
     
  5. Jul 25, 2022 #5
    flgator2

    flgator2 Premium Member

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    I've never been a huge fan of their coffee
     
  6. Jul 25, 2022 #6
    108

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    the Union busting, or shutting down stores?
     
  7. Jul 25, 2022 #7
    danmanne65

    danmanne65 GC Hall of Fame

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    I drink my coffee black. Starbucks makes there coffee strong and bitter and it tastes almost burnt. I was told they do this because it makes a better base for their Carmel macchiato nonsense. When I suggested they could make two coffees one for people who wanted coffee and another for people who wanted dessert all I got was dumb stares.
     
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  8. Jul 25, 2022 #8
    WC53

    WC53 GC Hall of Fame

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    A cup full of sugar helps the medicine (burnt beans) go down.
     
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  9. Jul 25, 2022 #9
    tilly

    tilly Superhero Mod. Fast witted. Bulletproof posts. Moderator VIP Member

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    Yep. Over roasting (burning) is intentional.
    I only drink them when traveling at this point. Locally I barely touch them.
     
  10. Jul 25, 2022 #10
    BigCypressGator1981

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    Fewer Starbucks.
     
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  11. Jul 25, 2022 #11
    OklahomaGator

    OklahomaGator Jedi Administrator Moderator VIP Member

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    I have never been a fan of their coffee.
     
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  12. Jul 25, 2022 #12
    AndyGator

    AndyGator VIP Member

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    My daughter is a Starbucks addict. I'm more of an 7-11 coffee guy myself.
     
  13. Jul 25, 2022 #13
    Orange_and_Bluke

    Orange_and_Bluke Premium Member

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  14. Jul 25, 2022 #14
    Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

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    What do unions do again? I seem to have forgotten their need and significance in this country, lately, that is free of legalized child labor and other bad employers sweat-shop practices... Oh yes, their union labor leaders give massive amounts of cash to the Democrat Party.
     
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  15. Jul 25, 2022 #15
    orangeblue_coop

    orangeblue_coop GC Hall of Fame

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    I like Starbucks' selection of cold, fruity beverages. Never been big on their coffee.
     
  16. Jul 25, 2022 #16
    obgator

    obgator GC Hall of Fame

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    Shut all of them down till Starbucks learns to brew even a half decent cup of coffee.
     
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  17. Jul 25, 2022 #17
    108

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    Whatever unions do or don’t do, or whether you feel they are outdated, workers have a right to try to unionize..
     
  18. Jul 25, 2022 #18
    96Gatorcise

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    Used to buy local but got turned onto Black Rifle coffee. Their shipping sucks but I grind and brew at home and their dark roast (Blackbeard's Delight) is delish!!!!!
     
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  19. Jul 25, 2022 #19
    JG8tor

    JG8tor Senior

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    Oops. Of course, Alabama does have child labor laws (at least on the books, if not enforced).

    I wonder what their laws concerning unions look like.*

    Do you think a fine (if it's even issued) will come close to the amount of money they saved in labor costs by using children? **


    *Rhetorical. I actually don't as I am sure Alabama is not friendly to unions, even if they may have protected some children in this case.

    ** Also rhetorical. I'm sure that the fine + campaign donations < paying for legal labor or they wouldn't have done it.
     
  20. Jul 25, 2022 #20
    mdgator05

    mdgator05 Premium Member

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    Yeah, safety appears to be an easy excuse to close high overhead stores while trying to limit investor reaction. Look where in LA those stores are being closed, for example. Santa Monica. West Hollywood. Inside a doubletree hotel. Expensive real estate but hardly high crime areas.
     
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