Starbucks Tightens Access: End of the ‘Third Place’ Era?
Starbucks, once a beacon of inclusivity with its ‘third place’ philosophy, has significantly altered its open-door policy. Multiple news outlets, including CBS News, Forbes, USA Today, 6ABC Philadelphia, NPR, the Austin American-Statesman and Today.com, are reporting that customers will now be required to make a purchase to sit in the cafe or use the restrooms. This reversal marks a departure from the 2018 policy that allowed non-paying individuals to utilize their facilities. The d...