If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something.

Starbucks on Monday said it was reversing a policy that invited everyone into its stores. A new code of conduct – which will be posted in all company-owned North American stores – also bans discrimination or harassment, consumption of outside alcohol, smoking, vaping, drug use and panhandling.

Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said the new rules are designed to help prioritize paying customers. Anderson said most other retailers already have similar rules.

  • @bcgm3
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    71 day ago

    My fiancee got a Starbucks gift card from work, so we stopped by the one nearest us. The drive-through wrapped all the way around the building, so we went inside. Inside, there was only one huge table, with only one spot with an electrical outlet, and the music and cafe atmosphere were so loud… I can’t imagine anybody trying to bring a laptop and “work” there.

    But if I did, I guess I’d buy a coffee? That seems fair. I definitely prefer my local library for remote working outside of the house, though.

    • @[email protected]
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      61 day ago

      It’s been awhile since I went to a library, but are there places for taking remote meetings to avoid disturbing others?

      • @bcgm3
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        13 hours ago

        To add on to the other replies here, both of the two closest libraries to me have several small rooms for this as well.

      • @evasive_chimpanzee
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        71 day ago

        Oftentimes, yes. Mine has a series of little rooms. They are often used by teens working on homework together.

      • @BradleyUffner
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        221 hours ago

        My local one has 10 or so small rooms for maybe 3-4 people max, and 2 larger conference rooms that could easily hold 30+ people each. It’s not even one of the bigger city libraries either. The ones down town have even more facilities.

    • @[email protected]
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      223 hours ago

      I don’t work in coffee shops or even drink coffee. But I don’t believe that the star bucks that people work in are the road side ones. Surely those most be the ones that are in town.