Last November, the popular Starbucks location on Dempster Street closed its doors after baristas participated in a nationwide strike against the company. Now, three months later, the store has reopened, drawing mixed reactions from the community.
The strike on Nov. 13, or Red Cup Day, a holiday promotion that gives out free reusable cups, occurred as a widespread effort by unionized Starbucks workers to make an impact on one of their most profitable days of the year. Over 65 union stores, or locations that are part of a collective bargaining group, participated. The protest aimed to negotiate salaries and staffing for the unionized baristas amid nationwide accusations of Starbucks’ unfair labor practices. Striking baristas and supporters formed a picket line outside of the store, carrying signs and megaphones.
“I remember driving by and seeing a lot of protesters around the store,” said sophomore Destiny Alabi. “I like Starbucks, but I definitely felt bad for the workers.”
The store was reopened by Starbucks management on Jan. 20, and protesters continued to demonstrate through the end of the month. Though students can now order their drinks and food again, the location is no longer open past 12 p.m. and is closed every Sunday and Monday. Junior Josephine Solar frequents the Dempster Starbucks and has noticed some changes.
“The location has entirely new seating,” Solar said. “But I recognize most of the workers at the Dempster location from before the closing.”
For many students, the strike and subsequent limited hours at Starbucks disrupted daily routines. When Solar first heard about the strike, she decided to stop going to the location and stop ordering until it reopened.
Some continue to avoid Starbucks over concerns for the rights of baristas there and the principle of the strike.
“A lot of my friends are avoiding it,” said senior Eden Osborn. “I think it’s bad how Starbucks is closing down stores that have been unionized because unions are so important for workers’ rights.”
Around the country, baristas continue to participate in what Starbucks Workers United calls an “open-ended strike”. The Starbucks at Dempster Street and Dodge Avenue is just one of many still feeling the effects. With three Evanston Starbucks locations and hundreds more nationwide closing in recent years, the future of the company remains uncertain.
