Starbucks is ruffling the feathers of many of its patrons after announcing it would be rescinding the open-door policy it put in place several years ago.
The company announced on Monday, Jan. 13, that non-paying customers would no longer be welcome to sit inside or use the restrooms, and that employees would be receiving training to help enforce the new policy—which also allows employees to call law enforcement on violators.
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“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement to the Associated Press. “By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone.”
The news garnered mixed reactions from consumers, though, with responses to the news shared by a pop culture update account on X varying from people not even realizing the open-door policy ever existed to staunch supporters and opponents of the move.
“Didn’t even know about open door policy lol. i always just thought people bought something and stayed,” one reply read, while another said, “wtf I’ve been doing this the whole time.”
“How hard is it to just buy a coffee and then just get a free refill if you’re going to loiter like seriously,” someone else questioned.
“why would u go without buying something anyway??? 😭😭😭 like yall dont have a library to go to??” another agreed.
“Most people buy something anyway, which is why I don’t like this policy,” another user pointed out, suggesting it was just an excuse to remove homeless individuals from the stores. “I bet they won’t use it on college kids or professionals. It’ll just be a way for them to kick out those they feel are undesirable.”
“They don’t pay baristas enough to make them pay attention and enforce this 😂,” one person pointed out in response, with another agreeing, “Are they gonna hire security to patrol the restrooms & seating areas? Bc I don’t think Starbucks employees get paid enough to police the building too.”
“This is an absolute terrible and greedy decision to make,” another reply read in part, while someone else agreed, “That’s a cheap move to increase the revenues!”
“Suddenly i’m on a diet and can only ‘buy’ the free tap water,” someone else quipped.
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