OPINION:
Starbucks’ new “No purchase required” policy dictates that anyone can sit in the high-priced coffee lounges for as long as they want without making any purchase. The policy is the result of a high-profile incident in Philadelphia where two African-American men were arrested for sitting in a store without purchasing a venti latte frothy thing.
Army Special Forces veteran and Internet personality Jim Hanson decided to put the policy to the test and made a video of his visit. He brought his own meal, supplied by Chick-fil-a, and had a lovely dining experience:
#Starbucks new policy is No Purchase Required
— Jim Hanson (@Uncle_Jimbo) May 29, 2018
My local shop wasn’t closed for re-education
So I decided to test it
& crazy as that is
It’s true
I brought my own food, enjoyed their A/C & used their free wifi to order some @blckriflecoffee
Great business model pic.twitter.com/JDXWFElvop
“Thanks for the air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Feel free to hold a business meeting here. Don’t m ind the homeless person stinking in the corner or the junkie shooting up in the bathroom. Helluva business model!”
It’s hard to imagine just how this policy will play itself out in the long run. One suspects an adjustment in the near future once customers (actual, paying customers) start to forego the new atmosphere at these inclusive wonderlands.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.