Starbucks — Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens

I was kicked out of this Palm Beach Gardens location earlier this week. I was sitting at a table, minding my own business, waiting for some new customers to arrive, it was about 15 minutes before they showed up. When they arrived, we crowded around a small table to sign a couple papers and chat for a couple minutes. At the same time they arrived, an elderly, unpleasant man pointed to the table next to us and said, “I want to sit there! I am a customer!” We told him to go ahead and then we scooted over, away from him and closer to the nice lady on the other side who welcomed us over. The elderly man just kept staring and muttering as I chatted briefly with the couple. About 5 minutes after they arrived, we were getting ready to leave and a barista, that had seen me sitting at the table alone earlier, came up to us and said, “You can’t do business here, you have to leave.” Apologetically, she said that Starbucks has a new policy that people can’t do any sort of business without making a purchase. She repeated that we needed to leave. This is extremely poor customer service by Starbucks. How do you think I make money to pay for expensive coffee drinks? I have spent a lot of money in Starbucks locations over the years; on visits alone, with friends/family/customers and for gift cards on holidays or birthdays. To be embarrassed like that in front of people I am meeting for the first time, has me reconsidering giving my future business to Starbucks. This is probably only the second or third time that I have popped into a Starbucks without making a purchase, to think that I am now unwelcome unless I buy something, is not my definition of a coffee shop. Your company seems to be trying to fix another problem by making rules that alienate...

What happened to this Starbucks?

This used to be my go-to spot, but after today's visit, I won’t be returning.

The store was recently remodeled, and the layout now creates confusion. The register has been moved to the former drink pick-up area, which caused me to stand waiting at the wrong spot. When I approached the counter, the barista, Chante, curtly redirected me with an unwelcoming attitude.

After placing a simple order for regular coffee, I received a cup filled to the brim—no room for cream. When I asked where the creamer station was, I was met with a dismissive “What do you want?” Chante then poured half and half into a small paper cup from behind the counter and slid it to me without a word.

Trying to make space in my coffee, I stepped toward a hand sink near the employee entrance to pour a little out. A male staff member suddenly appeared, questioned what I was doing, and told me to step back—even though I was not behind the counter. He seemed more interested in asserting control than helping. Only after I asked again did he finally assist.

The experience left me feeling disrespected and unwelcome. Just two weeks ago, I spent over $100 at this location for a meeting. Sadly, this is no longer a place I can recommend for coffee or...

This is my go to Starbucks. Lala and the rest of the ladies here are very friendly and provide great service. This morning when I arrived to pick up my mobile order, a bearded guy was running the espresso machine. I sat at the counter and saw him pour out the oat milk for my chai and put it on the espresso machine. Instead of continuing to make the drink. He picked up some iPad and started poking around on that and telling the other ladies about orders. He then started making cold drinks. After the fourth person walked out with their drink. I asked him if he had an order for a hot chai and he said he was working on it. He then went back to the espresso machine and finished my chai. After I got my drink I told him he should stop pecking around on the iPad and make drinks instead and he wouldn't have such a long line. He then told me to have a great day. There are two other Starbucks close by and I will be going to one of them from now on instead of coming back here for this sort of treatment. This one guy spoiled a great Starbucks. I don't think he'll be here long so I'll probably be able to...