Starbucks to permanently close 6 LA locations after reported drug use by public, crime concerns
Coffee mega-giant, Starbucks is set to permanently close 16 locations, citing safety issues for both employees and customers. Of those closing down by the end of July, six were located in Los Angeles.
The closures come after the coffee chain received reports from workers of reported crime concerns, including drug use by members of the public, the company said.
In a letter sent to employees on Monday, Starbucks Vice Presidents Denise Nelson and Debbie Stroud detailed that the issues, which currently face the whole nation, include "personal safety, racism, lack of access to healthcare, a growing mental health crisis, rising drug use and more."
One of L.A.'s most visited locations, found in the heart of West Hollywood, will be among those closing.
"It's certainly involved more homeless people and residents acting out," said West Hollywood City Councilman John D'Amico.
Another Hollywood location, this one on the Walk of Fame, will also close down for safety reason.
CBS reporters spoke with one of the location's employees, who recently filed his own incident report after a drunk man harassed him and damaged store property.
"He had pulled the fire alarm off of the wall, completely ripped the fire alarm off the wall, and then he left," said Robert Medina-Fischer. "There's nothing we can do, we can't stop them."
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore addressed the closures on Tuesday, stating that he hopes to sit down with Starbucks officials in the near future to counter their concerns.
"I'm disappointed to see Starbucks, or for that matter any commercial engagement, give up or walk away from the city," he said during a meeting. "I'm hopeful that they'll change that."
In all, the six locations set to close their doors in coming weeks included:
- Santa Monica Boulevard and Westmount Drive in West Hollywood;
- Hollywood and Vine Street;
- Second and San Pedro streets downtown;
- Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue;
- First and Los Angeles streets in downtown Los Angeles;
- Ocean Front Walk and Moss Avenue in Santa Monica
A spokesperson for Starbucks released the following statement to CBSLA:
"We're empowering local leaders, who have emphasized repeatedly that they care deeply about creating a safe and welcoming environment in the community. The company is renewing its commitment to safety, kindness, and welcoming in our stores.
We are closing six high-incident stores in LA; we look forward to continuing to welcome customers at the many company-owned and licensed stores in the city. Starbucks is a window into neighborhoods across America, including in LA, and feel the challenges a unique way. With our partners, we'll continue to help address the challenges our communities are facing."
The California Retailer's Association said that this could be the tipping point for other companies to follow suit.
"This is what we're gonna see if we don't do something about the fact that Californians don't feel safe in their communities," said Rachel Michelin, the President of CRA.
Employees at the affected stores will have the option to transfer to other locations. The company also planned to offer employees safety training.
Other cities around the United States that will also see some locations close included Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland and Washington, D.C.
Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company on Earth with 32,660 stores across the world as of 2020.