Starbucks — Restaurant in Santa Monica

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I first started coming to this Starbucks in 2016 and back then it was the bomb. This place rocked with the best service anywhere. It's had its ups and downs through the years and some changes needed to be made.

The atmosphere here at this location has improved. I can't say that I agree with kicking people out if they don't buy anything, but this is a business and not a park or recreation area. However, I will not support any Starbucks establishment that denies water to anyone. Unfortunately, Starbucks opened this Pandora's Box years ago when they said everyone is welcome in their stores no matter what, with or without a purchase, and water is free. Sure enough, that open door policy caused a lot of trouble in more ways than what I care to write about. However, that has changed. You have to buy something in order to sit down at a table or use the restroom. Water is no longer free. You have to buy something in order to receive what they call a complimentary cup of water.

It's illegal to charge for water in the state of California. That's a fact you can look up for yourself. So they get around it by saying "Unfortunately, we can only give a complimentary glass of water with a purchase."

Well, if all you want it water, then you have to pay for something that you don't want in order to receive that cup of water.

Folks, this is unacceptable. Look at every other restaurant. When you ask for a cup of water at most establishments, they give you one of those very small clear cups. It's not much but it's still a cup of water and that's what matters.

I agree with the policy of having to purchase something to hang out in the store. I can not and will not support any Starbucks establishment that denies water regardless of purchase.

The way to fix this is to offer the small cups of water.

It's only a matter of time until something happens over this water ordeal and Starbucks gets hit with another lawsuit and bad press. But corporate has never cared about its image. That's why I press upon the store manager and district managers to do the right thing regardless.

I'll be taking my business to The Coffee Bean Tea and Leaf until water...

I am not a frequent customer. I just happen to visit this location twice in the last 2 weeks. While it was clear on my first visit that the guy at register was new, I ordered feta wrap and tall almond milk latte. He couldn't find the spinach feta wrap on register so he had to call for help. After another employee helped him, he asked which drink I wanted again and I repeated tall almond milk latte. I saw him punch in Oat Milk. I didn't say anything because the woman that had helped him stepped away and I didn't want to wait any longer. I got my drink right away and waited 15 mins for my wrap because employee at the oven had to hold employee at register by the hand. Mind you when I went in, I was the only one there, by the time he was done charging me, there was a long line behind me. Today, 10 days after last visit, same employee at register. Still couldn't find spinach wrap, had to ask employee at oven to help. Had to repeat tall almond milk latte 3 times. Again got my drink right away ( the correct one this time) but waited over 10 mins for wrap because it's just sitting at counter while oven employee helps guy at register. Finally walk out drive around the parking lot to notice they gave me eggs instead of wrap. 🤯 Management, give this guy a mid day shift as 8 am is probably too...

I don’t want to be too harsh. it was clear some people were new on the job, and some people seemed to be overwhelmed. I get it. however, I ordered a small coffee (drip coffee, not a sparkly unicorn) with sugar free vanilla and a splash of oat milk. usually something the cashier does immediately. well… he was new, and he took my name and I let it be and waited. I wasn’t in a rush anyway. but even his coworkers who helped him place the order didn’t jump in to pour the coffee. again, no biggie. so I waited. ten minutes. everyone else had gotten their sparkly unicorns, a few mobile orders came in and out. then I went up to the pickup counter and asked the barista (who was evidently pretty overwhelmed) if there was any chance my drip coffee would be ready soon. he quickly went and poured it for me, I didn’t bother with the sugar free vanilla, but I did ask for oat milk. oh boy. I watched him pour half a cup of oat milk into this “coffee.” I just thanked him and left. it was my second coffee of the day after all, so I didn’t NEED the caffeine. I was just...