"WTF? RESTROOM BLUES…"

Hi Friends!

Today's "WTF?" © stevenn beck

What the hell is going on with Starbucks?

I went into Manhattan yesterday for a workout and then a quick lunch at the Soho Room (Spring and Thompson….great place!). Then I headed out to a Starbucks on Houston Street for a cup of hot chocolate and to do some work on the laptop. And just chill for a while.

I walk in out of the cold. I notice a group of angry people congregated near the restroom in the rear of the store. Walking back there I notice the sign on the door:

"This restroom is temporarily out-of-service. We apologize for the inconvenience and will make the necessary repairs as-soon-as-possible."

Damn. Ok. It happens. At least - I thought - they were taking care of any problem. Unfortunately I needed to take myself out to another location….drinking hot chocolate - and no available restroom….not a good idea at my age. LOL.

So I walked over to the new Starbucks on Bleecker (near 6th Avenue.) Same sign up on the door of the restroom. Over to another store in Chelsea…same sign. And the new Starbucks on 8th…guess what was hanging on the door….

I spoke to local management. The manager was very respectful and understanding; he mentioned something about a "plumbing problem"…uhhh….in every Starbucks in the Village and Chelsea? At the same time? Silence…

It makes you wonder…I already knew that many Starbucks had removed their nice, comfortable couches and replaced them with long tables and stools without backs….presumably to encourage turnover. (Unfortunate...because despite the high Starbucks prices one of its undeniable charms is that it is a nice place to relax and chill and hang out, usually in a cozy environment with cool music playing over the speakers.) Also: I know (the 37th and 8th store for example) that some Starbucks locations have begun putting metal plates over the electric outlets throughout the store…so that laptop and cell phone batteries cannot be re-charged - forcing customers to leave sooner rather than later.

I guess the "bottom line" always wins out- this is, after all, America.

But closing restrooms? In a restaurant serving liquid refreshments?

WTF?

Bye for now, be safe!

Stevenn