It was nice to see a Starbucks employee "just say no" to a woman and her dog

I was at the Starbucks at Howard and Western in Chicago this morning -- it just opened last Friday -- when a 30-something oh-so-stylish woman walked in with her dog and stood in line. Just before I was about to say something -- the woman also got a what-the-hell?! look from the guy in front of her -- a Starbucks employee told her she couldn't have the animal in the store. (This store serves warm sandwiches, on top of the usual fare.) He let her place her order or told her to wait outside for the drink. A few minutes later he took it outside and appeared to give her her change. I don't believe she gave him a tip; I'll mention it the next time I'm in there and toss the guy a buck.
> BATTLE OF THE CUPS: This new Starbucks is a stone's throw from a Dunkin' Donuts; both stores have put up huge inflatable to-go-cups to get noticed on this busy intersection. A friend of mine wonders how long before they're deflated by vandals.

Comments

[Latte]

Mom, did you ever think that you breastfeeding on the couch was uncomfortable to OTHER people? Instead of being uncomfortable yourself, you may put it onto other people. I don't really care too much about it as long as you stay out of peoples way and be discreet, but other people have a right to not have to see those things.

[Martin Bowe]

If the dog is in a carry bag, or sits on its owner's lap quietly and does not disturb anyone, why not let them in? If people were really concerned about cleanliness they would lobby bucks to get rid of those big overstuffed chairs that filthy people camp out in, sometimes and sleep in, and leave behind god-knows what.

[Heather]

Number one, as most all of you have mentioned, it is a health code violation to have animals in a restuarant. End of story, no more debate.
Number two, you can have all the opinions you want about breast feeding in public. Fact is, it's only illegal in three stats and I believe they are working on changing that right now.
If you don't like it leave. It is a natural thing and it's what breats were ment for in the first place. I would just hope nursing mothers would (like the mother who commented earlier) be as private as they can and try to catch any throw up/burp ups they can.
Btw, stores get new furniture every few years. If you know someone did something on that chair that disturbs you, don't sit there.
Keep nursing your babies mothers!
If you don't have children you wouldn't understand the urgency to feed your child when they are hungry. Sometimes you only get 2 hours between feedings to shower, eat then feed again. then run an (a) erron(s)feed again... ect... it's rediculious to send mothers away to feed so you are comfortable. If mothers did that all they would do all day is run back and forth for other peoples comfort. I believe they do that already for their husbands, children, work, church... give them a break and let mothers be mothers.

[sidney montgomery]

the problem with america is that we are too prude and don't allow much room for our "so called freedom." we spend too much time on trying to pick on nonsense trivial things that we dont spend it on just enjoying life. i don't see anything wrong with taking a dog inside a starbucks to grab a drink or going inside a home depot. dog haters are worried about the mess dogs will leave behind, but its always up to the owner to pick up after their own dog, and also to keep their dog on a leash and in check. if kids or someone are afraid of dogs, then GET OVER IT. they're animals just like people are animals and we all have the right to live together. i cant stand birds, but i dont freak out when there is a bird in my back yard. i think of these health codes as just unnecessary rules and regulations that people just sit around and come up with this stuff. where's OUR FREEDOM at??

[June]

You have a lot of uptight baristas here. Actually some cities DO allow pets on the Starbucks because they are not preparing food just warming it up. Unlike the barista who is upset by people handing them their trash if it's so upsetting for you to kindly tell another person that store policy doesn't allow Ir justtell them and diect them to a trash receptacle. Or put a sign up saying so. Most people don't read the picy manuals for Starbucks and codes for cities

[Crystal]

The Starbucks where I live is pet friendly.....and I don't see a problem with that... The Baristas do not have to do any extra work ( @ the person who posted
the silly remark about dog poop being on the floor and on their to do list, I have been to a Starbucks where their employees had to clean the Chapters- bookstore washrooms), most people only bring in their behaved dogs into areas like that, as they know they are populated with people. It is only enough time to grab your coffee and walk out, I wouldn't sit down and read a book.

People are so dramatic when it comes to dogs, if it is a health hazard and violates your district health codes. I understand in obeying the rules... You wanna see health code violations you should look at behind the doors of every restauraunt.. You think servers wash their hands everytime they are busy? Cleaning tables, accepting dirty bills, touching there hair or scratching themselves? Then putting your lovely lemon or like wedge on your drink or garnishing your dish? Touching your fork?

In regard to disturbances, they can't even comes close to how bad kids are in regards to mess, noise and annoyance.... And there mothers who cannot control them.

A few people ruin it for everyone, have rules but not bans..... Baristas your job is not hard -- seriously. You have nothing to whine about .

[Crystal]

On a side note after reading a few more posts. I want to clarify that
1) bigs and small dogs can potentially with improper training/socialization can be equally aggresive so stop being stereotypical and assuming large breeds are bad ( especially pot bulls) personally I think people are too dramatic in their fear of big dogs, it is the person who trains/raises them not the dog. If you are scared, they are on a leash get over it.

Most people are way too uptight, it is not about having a "problem" being separated from our dogs... It's the fact that people like myself and half the people who live in my area, like to get up saturday/ Sunday morning take a nice walk with my well behaved Large breed dog to Starbucks and grab myself a delicious mocha.. And sit on the patio and enjoy. My dog loves to people watch and see the birds fly over as I feed them an oat from my oat bar...The nice baristas, bring out a bowl is water for all the animal lovers nearby, which is very sweet of them.

Guess what, of you don't like dogs too bad, I don't like smokers, or people who don't wear deodorant, or bad unbehaved children... Yet I have to deal with them.