https://www.khou.com/article

Starbucks, the successful coffee chain, has announced a decision that would prioritize its paying customers. New CEO Brian Niccol has instituted this change, reversing the open-door policy set by former CEO Howard Schultz. Starbucks is known not only for its coffee but also for its outspoken stance on ultra-liberal policies, making headlines many times over recent years for its anti-family and anti-military positions. Regardless of what people think of their coffee or their political views, there are some interesting observations.

Community requires commitment.

“Community” is a buzzword that drives much planning and decisions. Starbucks has succeeded in making coffee an experience by offering a work and meeting place for its customers. What is being discovered by churches, businesses, and society is that, for real community to exist, there must be some sort of commitment. It is a proven fact, even in a coffee shop, that individuals sense more of a belonging after having made an investment.

Good will is often taken advantage of.

The idea of a place to gather is a good one. A place in our communities where we can sit to talk, read, or conduct a meeting can have a positive impact on society. Unfortunately, it is the nature of man to take advantage of good will. I would contend with readers that, the more conservative the community, the less those Starbucks locations are taken advantage of and the less crimes are committed against them. The point is that it takes more than ideas; it takes the character of individuals to make society work.

Codes of conduct (rules) are for the good of everyone.

Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said the new rules are designed to help prioritize paying customers. Anderson said most other retailers already have similar rules. “We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” Anderson said. “By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone.” This is a good reminder that if a code of conduct is necessary for a coffee shop, then perhaps we should consider a code of conduct in every area of our lives.

Everyone, including liberals, suffers at the hands of liberal policies.

Since the open-door policy was put in place in 2018, the article tells us, “…employees and customers have struggled with unruly and even dangerous behavior in stores. In 2022, Starbucks closed 16 stores around the country—including six in Los Angeles and six in its hometown of Seattle—for repeated safety issues, including drug use and other disruptive behaviors that threatened staff.” Bad ideas and unrealistic implementations are detrimental for everyone. Perhaps Starbucks’ former CEO should have been more concerned with his employees’ safety than with pushing a destructive ideology. Bad ideas and ideology hurt everyone, as illustrated by this decision.

Now, if one wants to read, answer emails, or have an informal meeting, unless he is willing to pay for a coffee, he must once again do so at the public library.

Perhaps, we should just make coffee about coffee and not make a political statement with coffee beans.