Many Starbucks in Arizona close early Tuesday for anti-bias training
May 29, 2018, 6:58 AM | Updated: 11:34 am
A store closing sign for May 29 is posted at a pickup counter at a Starbucks store, Friday, May 25, 2018, in Chicago. Starbucks will close more than 8,000 stores nationwide on Tuesday to conduct anti-bias training, the next of many steps the company is taking to try to restore its tarnished diversity-friendly image. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
PHOENIX — If you usually get your afternoon or evening caffeine fix at Starbucks, you might to have to look elsewhere for that pick-me-up on Tuesday.
The coffee giant is closing more than 8,000 stores nationwide for several hours to conduct anti-bias training in the wake of the controversial arrests of two black men at a Philadelphia shop last month.
Most of Arizona’s standalone locations were scheduled to close for the day starting at 2, 2:15 or 2:30 p.m. Most shops inside grocery stores were remaining open as usual.
You can find updated hours for Phoenix stores here (change the location for your city).
For several hours this afternoon, we will close stores and offices to discuss how to make Starbucks a place where all people feel welcome.
Thank you for your patience and support as we renew our promise to make Starbucks an inclusive gathering place for all.
See you tomorrow.
— Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) May 29, 2018
According to a video previewing the Starbucks training, there will be recorded remarks from company executives and rapper/activist Common. From there, employees will “move into a real and honest exploration of bias” where, in small groups, they can share how the issue comes up in their daily work life.
Starbucks has described it as a “collaborative and engaging experience for store partners to learn together.”
In the Philadelphia incident, Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson were asked to leave after one was denied access to the bathroom. They were arrested by police minutes after they sat down to await a business meeting. The incident was recorded by cellphones and went viral.
Nelson and Robinson settled with Starbucks this month for an undisclosed sum and an offer of a free education from Arizona State University through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan. They also reached a deal with Philadelphia for a symbolic $1 each and a promise from officials to establish a $200,000 program for young entrepreneurs.
Starbucks has since announced anyone can use its restrooms even if they are not buying anything. According to documents the company sent to workers, employees should also think carefully when dealing with disruptive customers. A guide advises staff to consider whether the actions they take would apply to any customer in the same situation.
Starbucks said the arrests never should have occurred and announced the mass closures of its stores for the afternoon of training.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
