Is the closing related to unionization and crime in the area being a useful scapegoat??

Have you ever tried to run a coffee shop? One that gets frequented by junkies? It’s not fun nor is it worth it.

>Is the closing related to unionization

If it were, Starbucks would probably be closing stores in Back Bay and Brookline, too.

"The Starbucks coffee shop in Central Square closes Nov. 13, with crime in the area identified by counter staff and a corporate spokesperson as a major factor in the decision"

It was the only starbucks around without a public bathroom, cause junkies kept ODing in it. I’m surprised that place stayed open this long.

A junkie stabbed an employee with a needle

A junkie stabbed an employee with a needle

I was simply asking a question due to Darwin's announcing their closure this week. Terrible what happened to the barista. Hopefully the stabbing scoundrel is brought to justice.

I worked in another Starbucks in an area with a high unhoused, drug addicted population, and we had sharps containers in the bathrooms.

Jesus, when was that?

last year

Wait fr? Source?

I was told by city staff. I wish I had a link to share.

I have mixed feelings.... Would love to know if this is due to the "bathroom thing" "violence" (I want to see a link) or just corporate over-expansion/profit.

My guess is the last one but if you've got some proof otherwise, please post it.

They never should have moved CPD headquarters from Central Sq to East Cambridge. There used to be a substantial police presence in Central Sq. No longer.

It’s a shame that this location is closing. It has been there for quite some time. It’s unfortunate things are getting so bad in the square because of the homeless and addicts. The city and CPD need to do something before more businesses start leaving that area.

There’s many business owners in that area that are concerned with the increase in crime. It’s definitely the crime.

Last time I was there (pre-covid), some dude with shit in his pants was standing on a chair screaming nonscense. Watching everyone pretend not to see or smell him was interesting.

Anyone have any intel on what might move in to the space?

This location was less than 200ft from the police substation. So glad to see CPD making a difference [eye roll].

It’s the crime. A lot of business owners in the area have voiced concern over the crime situation. The homeless population, many of them who are also drug users have become problematic. Expect more businesses to move out of central square if Cambridge doesn’t do something about this.