Starbucks — Restaurant in Scottsdale

Welcome back to the home crew! Yay! The family crew is back!

Covid is a robber and a terrorist. Thank goodness we have learned to stay at home, with new behaviors to silence and overcome the terror. But the virus has stolen from us - life, family and friends, many livelihoods, our precious peace of mind. Our strength is we stick together, always! That's our secret weapon.

I’m grateful to Starbucks for genuinely caring, for providing for their employee partners by putting their money where their mouth is and demonstrating rare corporate character. Thanks also for taking care of your customer partners by staying open and literally being my “grocery store” since I’ve been in high risk lock down since February. Thank you for making my life a wee bit better every single day for years! 😊 But in the time of covid, thanks for being a lifeline, helping to keep me provisioned, quality-confident and safe.

The "hybrid" crew from all the stores did an incredible job keeping the hive humming. My thanks to each of you, too, for your patience, service and sense of humor.🙏🏻

But I’m so happy to see each of your shiny faces!! BIG HUG to the returning home team! 💙

Including Andi, who has earned her chops and cared for everyone so they could do their best, at work and at home. Good job! I think everyone agrees, we want to keep her! 😉

Yours Truly, Tall Quad Ristretto Almond Milk Latte at 130° (That's right. And proud of it.😉)

PS: it's certainly not over yet. Remain vigilant and...

I had coffee with my dad at this location when he came to Scottsdale for a visit from his home in Jerusalem, Israel. I am always nervous going out to restaurants and the such with him because he tends to be pretty vocal about things that don't meet his standards. I noticed his coffee drink was barely touched so inquired to what the reason was. He took a deep breath and I, along with the other unknowing customers there, prepared to hear his criticism at what I was sure would be a quite loud and intense volume. But much to my surprise, and relief for that matter, he began to instead talk about how impressed he was with the open layout, how all the employees seemed cheerful and really seemed to enjoy their jobs, and about how nice it was to be able to conversate with each other without yelling or feeling like the rest of the place could hear your each and every word. He was overall really impressed. Of course, whether because we were too wrapped up in our conversation or the barista didn't say my name correctly (doubtful, my name is Sam) or didn't say it loud enough, almost 15 minutes passed before I received my Carmel Frappacino giving my dad an opening for one of his long disgruntled rants, although this one was much shorter and not loud at all. I think the cleanliness, the open seating, and the employees who seemed to sincerely enjoy their jobs...

It’s unfortunate that to effect corporate change, one has to leave scathing reviews. Starbucks consistently raises their prices and underperforms in customer service. At this particular location I walked in to find no one working at the register. So I waited. And waited. Looked around and there are 7 employees doing various things. Some make eye contact and return to their daily grind. Not a single one said “ we’ll be right with you”, or “ welcome in” or any acknowledgment whatsoever. Finally a young guy who was having a sideline with I can only assume a shift lead or manager begrudgingly came over and took my order with out making eye contact, or any pleasantries at all. This isn’t circle k, it’s Starbucks. Maybe it sounds entitled but l’de like a smile and welcoming attitude before I get bent over a barrel for a medium iced coffee. Just saying….. you can do better than this Starbucks. It’s becoming more and more clear that Starbucks focuses its attention on mobile orders and drive through business than its actual walk in customers. Which, if you read Mr. Schultz’s book, Onward; it seems like an epic waste of money to buy new, low profile espresso machines if you’re not going to interface with your customers anyway. ...