Starbucksis shuttering 16 existing locations.
“After careful consideration, we are closing some stores in locations that have experienced a high volume of challenging incidents that make it unsafe to continue to operate, to open new locations with safer conditions,” a spokesperson toldInsiderin a statement.
They continued, “We look forward to continuing to serve these local communities and encourage our customers to visit us at our other stores in these areas, which can be found on the Starbucks App or Starbucks Store Locator.”
The full list of closures, per Insider, is as follows:
Representatives for Starbucks did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Apublic letterfrom Starbucks senior vice presidents of U.S. operations Debbie Stroud and Denise Nelson shared the company’s desire to make its locations safe for its guests and employees.
“We read every incident report you file – it’s a lot,” the letter said, in part. “We want you to know that creating a safe, welcoming, and kind third place is our top priority.”
The letter said that the programs and benefits “to ensure you feel more supported and empowered” include “robust safety trainings for all partners” and the ability to modify operations, including “closing a restroom, or even closing a store permanently, where safety in the third place is no longer possible.” It also said that benefits to “support your mental health” and “help create emotional and financial safety” are available, among other support programs.
Also Monday, CEO Howard Schultz said ina public letterto the company’s partners that there is a “need to reinvent Starbucks for the future.”
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The letter also addressed the “safety, welcoming and kindness” of the stores.
“In a world that is increasingly isolating and often divided, we can operate in a way that knits together the fabric of our neighborhoods. We can expect to protect each other, respect and include each other, and work together to create the kind of safe and welcoming environment we need at work,” the letter said.
source: people.com
