Starbucks — Restaurant in Laurel

I do not typically leave reviews. I have never had a bad experience at this Starbucks for what it's worth. The team is consistently fast and courteous at the drive-thru. However that isn't the point of this review.

I want to take a minute to share that every time I pull up to any drive-thru, whether it be Starbucks or whatever, I want to see Walter standing there. Actually, anytime I am buying anything, I wish I was dealing with Walter.

Sure Walter has great customer service skills, but he also has an incredible energy. I know Walter and I have only exchanged a few words, such as "do you want a straw," but he shares a presence or an energy--something intangible. I think I am more energized by Walter than by drinking the coffee.

I don't get Starbucks everyday, when I do I usually remember Walter may be at this drive-thru. It just makes my day better.

The reader of this review may find it a bit strange. I get it. You have to experience Walter for yourself to understand. I'm sure others out there have had the Walter experience and could share too.

Hopefully this review leads to only positivity for Walter and the rest of the hardworking team at the Starbucks. Though it is unclear to me how that may manifest, that is my intention in writing...

I went through the drive thru 5 minutes to closing time. They didn't have any pastries left which was fine just grateful to have our drink made. But unfortunately it was made wrong. As soon as I left the window I tasted and realized it was wrong. I literally circled back to the window. There was a guy who didn't take our order and he didn't open the window. He just shook his head and said we're closed. I held up my drink to indicate we already ordered. He just shook his head, said were closed. I wasn't about to leave after paying for a drink I couldn't ingest because it had sugar in it. After honking, it seemed his colleague convinced him to open the window. He repeated they were closed and there was nothing they could do for me even before hearing my complaint. I told him my drink was wrong and if he couldn't remake it I wanted a refund. He said he couldn't do that either because the system was shut down. Which is a lie. At the least I could have gotten a preloaded gift card or an apology. With attitude, he said come back tomorrow for a refund. I told him I was driving back home to NC and wouldn't be able to come back for a refund. He actually said to get a refund in North Carolina and go have a blessed day! This is the worst service I have ever...

Came later on in the day around 5pm on 12/20, stopped by to use the bathroom, afterwards I just wanted some water and something to snack on but didn’t know I was inconveniencing everyone… which shouldn’t have been the case given they don’t close until 9:30… I asked the tall white man at the register for a cup of Ice water and he goes “okay tall cup of ice” anything else? And I said oh if I can get an ice water, and he goes “anything else” and then proceeds to hand a cup to another black haired girl with poofy pulled back hair and she makes my water and hands it to me as if I’m inconveniencing her as well even though I don’t understand what’s wrong with me getting a cup of water given there was no one in the drive thru and it wasn’t even busy. Then lastly, the black girl with the dreads had walked up to the register and asked if I wanted anything else and I said “yes I would like to order” but then proceeded to walk away anyways… so when I finally got her attention again to order she had a terrible attitude, and same attitude after she gave me my item. I work at a Starbucks so I was utterly shocked by the level of dissatisfaction of customer service I...