Six locations in both Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California, will close their doors permanently, as well as two locations in Portland, Oregon, and one location in both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., according to The Wall Street Journal.
“We want you to know that creating a safe, welcoming, and kind third place is our top priority,” a message from Starbucks Senior Vice Presidents of U.S. Operations Debbie Stroud and Denise Nelson explained to employees. “Because simply put, we cannot serve as partners if we don’t first feel safe at work. The question on our minds is: How do we continue to show up for our communities while protecting our partners?”
The executives announced new trainings for de-escalation and active shootings, adding that among the policies they may pursue are “modifying operations, closing a restroom, or even closing a store permanently” if safety is a persistent issue, then transferring employees to other nearby stores.
