Starbucks, once a beacon of inclusivity with its ‘third place’ philosophy, has significantly altered its open-door policy. Multiple news outlets, including CBS News, Forbes, USA Today, 6ABC Philadelphia, NPR, the Austin American-Statesman and Today.com, are reporting that customers will now be required to make a purchase to sit in the cafe or use the restrooms. This reversal marks a departure from the 2018 policy that allowed non-paying individuals to utilize their facilities. The decision appears to be driven by a need to manage disruptive behaviors and ensure a safe and pleasant environment for paying customers and staff. The new code of conduct also prohibits alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use, panhandling, harassment and discrimination within company-owned stores. This move effectively ends the era where Starbucks functioned as a public space for all, regardless of purchase. The change will undoubtedly have implications for how consumers interact with the brand and could potentially affect foot traffic and customer loyalty.
