"From the Comfy Chair": Want to make Juan happy? Clean the bathroom!

From The Comfy Chair
By "Juan Valdez"

Lake City Way & 120th

12001 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, Wa.

There are stores which do really well. There are stores which do really bad. And then there are stores which do kinda good during one of my visits but still have some really annoying things which make it difficult to wrap my arms around the experience and pronounce it "third place."

Such was the case with my visit this week to the Starbucks on Lake City Way, in Lake City which is a north eastern suburb of Seattle.

But, before we talk about that, a question was raised in the comment section to my last column about how I would handle empty spaces in the pastry case especially given the change of philosophy on markouts as in they are to be minimized.  First of all, all non perishable cold items should be pulled forward in the case – gaps in the back don't look nearly as bad as gaps in the front. If sandwiches and other perishables are out of stock then those gaps should be filled with non perishable cold product even if it means doubling up. As for pastries, existing product should be spread out over the case on all shelves and, if necessary, those plates should be turned diagonally instead of being displayed vertically. Finally,  if that doesn't cover the gaps then you plate the trinkets and trash items from around the cash registers even if it means displaying mints.  What you don't do is leave huge gaping gaps in the pastry case that scream “we don't know what we're doing”.

Now, on to my experience at the Lake City Starbucks. I walked in and stood by myself at the register for a minute and half without being acknowledged while six, count em SIX, partners wandered around behind the counter.  No hello, no nothing, not even a greeting from the bar partner.  The register partner who apparently was solely responsible for greeting new customers was busy doing other things so I waited patiently.  After all things do need to be done and I certainly wouldn't want to get in the way of that. Once we got underway, she was quite pleasant and friendly. I just couldn't believe I stood there and no one else within spitting distance could be bothered to look my way and even say hi.

Things did get better after that although no one suggested a pairing with my tall latte. I did hear a lot about the new Via and how it's a lot of things but most definitely is NOT an instant coffee. Sounds like one to me.  But oh well. I got my free Via in the mail a while back and it tasted ok but nothing special. /CONTINUED IN THE FIRST COMMENT BELOW

Comments

[JUAN VALDEZ]

I got my drink in about a minute and the bar partner did smile and say thank you which was appreciated. When I carried my drink to my table, I thought it felt light. And, by golly, it was. There was a full inch gap from the top of the liquid to the top of the cup. Ugh. I didn't bother to take it back up and have it filled but just shrugged it off. Still, that was what they call in tennis, an "unforced error."

Partners did a nice job of keeping the lobby clean, even bringing out a broom to sweep the floor a couple of times. The condiment bar had spills which were wiped up BUT they never bothered to get rid of the large brown sugar crystals which lay next to the packet container and were easily visible. I swear, when I see this kind of half cleaning, I never understand it. If you're not going to do the job right, why bother?

And then there was the bathroom. Holy mother of God, it wasn't enough to just have a plunger sitting near the toilet...they also had one of those accordion type drain plungers that are designed to really blow out the pipes. No matter what might occur in that bathroom, they were ready for it and made sure responders weren't going to have to run in the back to get the tools of the trade. In addition, there was some wonderful graffiti scrawled all over the inside of the stall. And there was more scrawled on the wall near the sink. And, to emphasize the point even more, there was a bunch of graffiti scratched into the mirror. Which looked great sitting above a bunch of phlegm stains which covered the sink. This is elegance? This is sophistication? Howard, if you ever want to know what the boys in the hood are doing, just head for the bathroom in your Starbucks in Lake City because it's plastered all over your walls.

There's a reason this bathroom looks like crap and why, so far, only 3 out of the ten places I've visited have had what one might refer to as "a clean bathroom." You'll find it partially in the comments of this column and past ones where I'm taken to task for daring to care what the bathrooms look like. There are partners who just don't care about it and managers who don't make it a priority. Then there are the partners who believe it's simply not their job to clean bathrooms, it's somebody else's. I saw this more times than I'd like to admit while with the company therefore it's no surprise to me that these bathrooms are in such bad shape. Frankly, it's a sad state of affairs, especially when Starbucks really should be making sure something as obvious as this isn't allowed to run customers off.

So...all in all, I give this place a C+. When they saw you, partners were friendly and helpful and willing to talk about new products. They also mostly kept things clean. Just don't go in the bathroom.

Time of day: morning



# of partners on the floor: 6



Service time – 3 minutes



Was the restroom better than a gas station restroom? - No



Busy level – steady



Were they trying to keep the lobby clean? - Yes



Would I recommend to a friend – No


Legendary service? - No


# of stores reviewed where a partner has tried to connect with a customer – 5 out of 10



# of stores where they've offered samples of anything – 2 out of 10

# of stores that could have been considered "understaffed" - 0 out of 10



# of stores with a clean bathroom – 3 out of 10

"Juan Valdez" is the nom de cyber of a former Starbucks manager who became disenchanted with the increasingly bitter taste of the Starbucks experience and fled to the mountains of Colombia where he now rides his burro and ponders the glittering sunsets. On a crisp clear day, when atmospheric conditions are just right and the moon is in the seventh house, Juan can be reached at juanvaldezsbux@gmail.com.

[CamSpi]

I do have to say, after reading these "Comfy Chair" pieces, I've paid more attention to my store's bathrooms, and my spins have been more intensive. Thanks, Juan! You're kinda like Starbucks' Upton Sinclair.

[DT Darling]

Juan, if you ever want to experience a naaaaasty Bux bathroom, take a trip to NYC. You'll never think a Seattle area one looks bad again, ever. Promise! Yuck.

[The Loud Screaming Barista Of New York]

Juan I know you're trying to uphold a certain standard here but I don't believe scrubbing toilets and serving coffee go together at all!!

If they can hire a crew of people to clean and wipe down the windows on the inside and outside of the store, they can hire a person for $7.75 (NYS wage) an hour to come in for an hour or two a night and thoroughly clean, scrub, disinfect and mop the bathrooms. If you think people wouldn't snatch that job up in a heartbeat than you are sorely mistaken.

P.S. Partners/Employees don't want to work that hard scrubbing the bathroom to begin with, we get paid $7.75 an hour!!

[spence]

Y'all need to move south. We leave toilet swishers in the bathroom and guess what? Customers use them. I can check the bathroom 5 times thoughout a shift and the worst I might see is a paper towel on the floor.

[NOT JUAN]

Ah yes! The old, "Not My Job" response. When an employee decides what is or is not beneath him/her, then it's definitely time to go elsewhere for your coffee. What other cleanliness decisions are being made on the basis of the ickiness factor? Maybe the loud screamer enjoys using a filthy restroom before returning to work. Maybe it doesn't matter if you don't bother to use that sink to wash your hands before returning to the one part of your job you have decided to approve of.

I'll be staying away from any Starbucks in New York. Thanks for the heads up.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

I clean the bathroom each time.

[spence]

BSR. With all your kevetchin', we all know you care A LOT. There is no doubt in my mind that you do all that can be done to make your store a success. Thank you.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

And, yes I do care about the partners, the store, and Starbucks. After Melody, I think Uncle Howie would say, of course everyone knows Boston Starbucks Rebel.
I can say that if I stepped out on stage during the shareholders meeting or anything else, many people would be surprised because I'm a contrast in studies.

[Former ASM]

Juan- love your comments on the pastry case. When I was an ASM I worked with a joke of a SM who would rather have a case with empty trays set up for the next morning then put say mints or graham crackers on them. I remember I did this one Saturday and he basically told me it was immature and I didnt know what I was doing.

Why did you not take your latte back? I think you should have. By not taking it back, the barista now thinks even more so its ok and no one cares. If they think when they are making a drink,better make it right, dont want the person to come back, they are less likely to take shortcuts then if they are like dang not enough milk, oh well, no one gives a crap, hand it off and twiddle my lazy thumbs some more.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

The pastry case I know can be challenging for some people. The new system they are using makes it hard to explain to customers why one Starbucks have stuff and the other doesn't.
And yes, you should've made sure that the beverage was correctly filled up. On the old Starbucks Snapshots that was one of the metrics. I know one former partner who always used to not fill it all the way. I called him out on it once, and he nearly threw the drink in my face. Can you believe that, at me?

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP WEBMASTER]

Observations about Starbucks bathrooms in NYC (based on a recent trip)...

The unisex bathroom in the tiny Starbucks on 42nd St. near the Conde Nast building was clean in the times I visited. ...There were Starbucks stores in Manhattan that had dirty bathrooms, but those stores were NON-STOP VERY BUSY and should have had cleaning services do the job.

In metro areas like NYC, Starbucks should have a fulltime cleaning service that goes from store to store and cleans bathrooms.

[sbc-ol-skool]

Lake City is Seattle LOL.....same with Columbia City. It just has city in its name. Anyhow, with the reduction in staffing expect to find more bathrooms in a SBUX to be much more dirtier than golden days.

[TORONTOWYLD]

Took a visit to the newest opened store 'round my 'hood at Parliament & Abdereen and liked the pleasant atmosphere, but for the duration of my visit the bathroom was completely out of order with some kind of service guy (out of uniform so I know it wasn't a barista) mopping and mopping some more (I guess something must have busted which is kind of scary given that the store just opened this week!)

[Sara]

Thanks for posting these! After reading them, I make sure we do the 10 minute timer EVERY 10 minutes! I also make sure the lobby looking stunning and clean! Thanks Juan! :) I appreciate it!

[stan]

i love your reviews, i wish you could go further away from the epicenter of seattle. i know it's not feasible for you, burros do get tired. but i feel like the stores you get to visit don't get the same treatment as those far away.
there is an assumption that the big boss could come in there anytime and rain fiery hell there.

[expired shot]

I too love the reviews. Being so far away from Seattle, I often think that the experience we outsiders create for our customers must be so different than what happens in Seattle. The struggle to keep standards up has been difficult lately, and I constantly feel like I am not meeting my own expectations. Seeing reviews from Seattle that often mimic what I see happening in my own store makes me feel that I am not the only one/store struggling to say hi in 30 seconds-if at all, or to do a lobby slide every ten minutes. I admit that it is sad I take comfort in not being alone with my perceived failure.

[Me]

Torontowyld, is the store worth a visit?
I was in the area three weeks ago and the store wasn't open back then. So I ended up in the Tim Hortons across the street and immediately regretted it. Hopefully the area will appreciate a Starbucks.

On an other note. I always feel yucky to clean the washrooms and then go back and make drinks wearing the same apron. We should have different colored aprons for these kind of tasks. Or as someone else mentioned, have cleaning crews doing the washrooms, floors and windows at night. But that is just a dream...

[aleph0]

What is with the people complaining about cleaning the bathrooms? Call me crazy, but it seems like a pretty reasonable duty when you're responsible for tending a store. It's not always easy but it's not unreasonable.

[Me]

I'm not saying it is unreasonable to clean the washrooms.
I'm saying it is disgusting we are cleaning the washrooms one second (and if you are doing it right you will get in touch with all kinds of stuff, hopefully wearing rubber gloves), washing our hands and preparing and serving a latte the next, wearing the same clothes and apron. Clean hands aren't everything.

I wouldn't mind if we had one barista doing a cleaning shift a day. But this partner shouldn't prepare drinks in between his cleaning. (and of course I would mind if I was the one doing this shift every day).
Sorry, I just think cleaning washrooms in between preparing lattes isn't a good combo.
Am I alone with this?

And Juan, I like the fact you are pointing out our washrooms need more attention. Maybe someone somewhere will wake up and think of a reasonable way to keep them cleaner.

[OverCaffeinated]

yes, making lattes after cleaning the bathroom, taking out the trash, mopping the floors, ect. IS digusting. I always feel like I need a shower about half way through a closing shift! That being said, it's a problem that you face doing any kind of food service, including in your upscale restaurants. Customers simply don't really think about it or we'd all never eat outside our own homes. Ignorance is bliss!

[green_cup]

@Posted by: Me | March 19, 2009 at 08:02 PM

Knowing Starbucks, we'll see some sort of "rollout" initiative focused around the restrooms at Starbucks next quarter.

Of course, it'll be ill-conceived, poorly implemented and forgotten as soon as it was put in place.

Maybe a pamphlet that's co-produced by some offbeat magazine that describes the whys and hows of Starbucks bathroom cleanliness, detailing the process of how it all begins somewhere in some remote place in the world and through techniques acquired by local people, the bathrooms get spotlessly cleaned.

Of course, Starbucks might try to tie this in with its "green" initiatives and decide to use my favorite (and only) brand for cleaning, Mrs Meyers. Method might be more economical, though.

Either way, knowing Starbucks this will happen. Where's Melody at? Maybe she can list it on MSI on our behalf so we can get credit and first dibs. :D

[Torontodude]

TorontoWyld wrote:

"Took a visit to the newest opened store 'round my 'hood at Parliament & Abdereen and liked the pleasant atmosphere, but for the duration of my visit the bathroom was completely out of order with some kind of service guy (out of uniform so I know it wasn't a barista) mopping and mopping some more (I guess something must have busted which is kind of scary given that the store just opened this week!)"

The bathroom was absolutely spotless when I visited. I agree it's an interesting store. The quintessential funky/indie coffee place is just across the street. Cleanliness is not its strong point. It's called Jet Fuel and has a Senifeldesque soup-Nazi type of feel. It regularly makes lists of both he best and worst coffee places in town. Baristas drip attitude, and come complete with graduate degrees, tattoos and existensial angst. The hand-crafted espresso drinks are outstanding. But the staff delights in ignoring newbies. There is no menu or prices. Anyway, Jet Fuel has recently expanded. Neighborhood gossip has it that Starbucks tried to put them out of business by buying the lease. When that failed, it opened across the street.

There are also two Tim Hortons and a Coffee Time within a couple of blocks. The neighborhood is split between artsy/fartsy types -- some of whom are professionals or successful media types and live in beautiful renovated Victorian town houses -- and tens of thousands public housing residents. So Parliament Street includes both upscale food stores and dive bars, along with lots of dollar stores and the odd street corner drug deal. Homeless "customers" can easily be an issue in any store along the street.

I noticed that the new Starbucks store has only about 20 seats, all within view of the staff. I wonder if a deliberate decision was made to reduce seating. There does seem to be a lot a wasted space. But he decor and music are a cut above what I've seen elsewhere.

So far, the store is not busy. But I noticed something interesting: several large groups of Asian families and friends speaking a foreign language (Tamil?) and clearly enjoying a special treat. One group even seemed to have dressed up in their church clothes for the occasion. They were occupying all the comfy seats. Another group bought $23.80 in beverages and took them out.

So maybe there is a whole new market out there: people who have enough money to enjoy a treat beyond Tim Hortons. The staff is knocking themselves out to connect with customers. There are lots of free samples, and the opening raised $1,500 for a community group.

Most people are delighted to have a Starbucks in the neighborhood. Much better than another dollar store -- or yet another empty storefront.

[Venti Urnex Latte]

A separate cleaning crew to go 'round and clean the bathrooms? Dream on.

We used to have a crew come in biweekly to clean the floors thoroughly, but that ended after a year or two. Once we had a crew show up to clean all the ledges, light fixtures and stuff up high. They had these big duster-mop things that reached way up, dislodging years of dust and debris, which then floated down to settle on the bar, the food, etc. It was truly disgusting.

[TNT]

Due to the recent cuts in labor, I seriously don’t think that the company will look at an outside cleaning crew as an essential expenditure. They will however expect us to do it all perfectly during all the free time that we have. You know, when we’re not helping customer after customer, doing 10 minute lobby’s, stocking cups and lids, making product, putting the order away, checking to see if the DM has sent us 15 more e-mails, making customer connections, changing trash liners, training for the new beverage of the month, mopping the floors, answering the phone to give customers another Starbucks’s phone number, brewing coffee, picking up trash in the parking lot, calling facilities to report a steam wand that isn’t working, cleaning the glass front door, getting more milk, grinding coffee, cleaning up a spilled venti latte, filling the pastry case, washing dishes, telling people how to work the internet access, taking the trash out, dusting the retail and displays, being called in the back for a coaching conversation because we seemed stressed over having so many things to do at once…

Of course, how could I be so stupid, we have gobs of time to clean the bathrooms every time someone poops in the sink.

[CLBarista]

My manager always instructed us to take off our aprons any time we cleaned the bathrooms or did anything trash-related.

[Shifty Stuporvisor]

Maybe they should keep a power washer and something to buff out the mirror in the bathroom, too.
The total lack of facilities maintenance makes even hardworking, clean stores look bad.

[Shifty Stuporvisor]

You should know that we don't have anything in the store capable of removing the etching in the mirror, or permanent marker or paint. Also, do I detect a little hint of racism in your derisive tone when talking about "the boys in the hood"? Are you suggesting Starbucks doesn't belong in "the hood", and vice versa? Now I know why you prefer suburban stores.

[Shifty Stuporvisor]

OK, that was a little harsh, sorry, no coffee yet today! I just wanted to let you know that your tone, which I am sure you meant to be playful and humorous, actually came off as a little offensive.

[Mark]

Enough of the bathrooms. It is a health code requirement to have a clean bathroom. Does not matter on your jurisdiction, you will be down-checked for a dirty toilet/restroom.

For any food establishment that does not clean the restroom, I wonder about the rest of the store and its cleanliness.

[scottshift]

i work in a large store that is not that busy, but near a lot of public transportation. Our bathrooms at times are used for all sorts of "ahem" things by all sort of people , most of whom do not buy anything, but even that does not stop me from peeking my head into both bathrooms...yes we have 2, it only takes a second, and checking out the situation...there are things you can do to at least give the appearence of clean until you can really get the time to get in there...and yes, someone can make the time to clean it no matter how busy your store is, a good wipe down of evrything takes about 5 minutes, anyone who says they do not have the time, just doesnt want to do it.

[TORONTOWYLD]

"Torontowyld, is the store worth a visit? "

Most definitely it is => (just see Torontodude's minireview above)
I only harped on the bathroom weirdness, but my dry cappuccino was perfect and the register barista was connecting with everyone that came in, even though she was a borrowed partner from the Bloor & Jarvis store =>

[Sedg]

The problem with the washrooms is that managers don't mention it with new hires. They interview people and tend to hide that little fact away.

I know I was quite surprised when I had to do it...did it, mind, but still.

Also, Shifty Stuporvisor, nowhere did Juan mention the race of the 'boys in the hood'. They could all be whiteboys.

[Abe]

A customer's perspective on upselling. Don't do it. It's evil.

You write, "Things did get better after that although no one suggested a pairing with my tall latte."

Customers don't want clerks to "suggest pairings." We know you serve food. We know you're not asking for our benefit, but because the company makes you do it to maximize profits.

Please just get us what we order, and don't waste our time, or the time of the person behind us in line.

Upselling is evil. Resist.

[Noor]

What pathetic little people whine because someone asked them if they wanted to try something with their order. It's part of the job. You know it. They know it. Focus on what you enjoy, and stop giving the employees a guilt complex about fulfilling a very basic and painless requirement of their job.

If you know the corporation requires it, and you don't approve of it, either show up enough that the staff gets to know you and your order, or take your business somewhere that encourages their employees to shut up, hammer in a few buttons, spsit out a drink on the far counter and watch you bustle off on your day. I'd love the opportunity to tell people who snap at my staff for fulfilling a corporate requirement to get out and not come back until they learn to treat people with simple courtesy.

Oh, and we have lovely, checked, restocked and cleaned hourly bathrooms. ♥

[Shifty Stuporvisor]

@ Sedg

It's not said, it's implied, which is far more insidious, and why I felt the need to point out to the writer that he might be saying something that he doesn't mean to say.

[Solange]

Isn't there any way to get Juan to just shut up? Please?

[Abe]

Noor,

I'm sorry, but I believe you missed my point.

I didn't mean to give offense.

No one was trying to give an employee a guilt complex.

No one was snapping at your staff.

I would suggest that upselling is a poor corporate practice. I ask the corporate readers of this site, and the managers, to reconsider a practice that slows down service for everyone. Transparent attempts to increase the spending of each customer are not an element of good customer service. Focusing on selling the customer something the customer didn't order is not a key to success. I've had Starbucks employees take the time to ask me whether I'd like a pastry with my coffee, distracting them so much that they can't remember my coffee order. It seems to miss the point of good customer service.

And I would suggest that Juan, this site's guest columnist, not encourage this upselling by criticizing stores for failing to do it.

[snagger]

I've been banished to far north of Seattle, stopped into a Tim Horton's on our trek. Found it a little institutional, sort of like having your steak cut into bites before served.SBUX could do well in Fort Nelson. On my fourth can of Yuban and will need to get supplies soon.I long for a Clover Kona, do you think they could brew it,freeze it and ship it.As for restrooms we all know what bears do in the woods.

[GRTL]

I've had customers complain about me trying to force the pairings on them to meet a quota. If they want it, they will order it. It's not as if they don't know about it what with our store covered in signage!!!!!!

[spence]

My opinion on upselling which you can read or skip. Up to you.
I have the highest avg ticket sales in the region. I target customers.
I almost never suggest they get an immediate pairing. I often mention, "ya know, sometime if your'e a bit hungry, we have a special . . .
okay, so my void count is also higher than average.
I'm also surprised by the amount of people who come in a day or two later and say, "what was that special you mentioned?? It's called soft selling.
BTW, I think quotas are awful. My SM actually bought herself, without a partner discount, 2 pairings the other day so she could report we met quota.

[Torontodude]

I've never had an attempted upsell in Canada. But it happens often on US visits.

I don't like it -- at all.

[banyo]

omfg......its a public bathroom...everyone should open the door with extreem coution. hold your breath and prey that a bum didnt drop a bomb , pass out on the seat or die or something.....maybe you just should buy one of thoes travel bags you can pee in in your car and carry some sanni wipes or else u can pretty much expect your takeing a risk the guy before you was a slob not an employee with sanitizer........ people clean them then someone goes in and blows it up... they cant be expected to run in with a rag and sanitizer after each costomer leaves the restroom...whut this guy did was Not say anything to the store manager and left the mess for the next costomer when someone could of cleaned it after it was brought to their attention... and turned his cheek to the poor quality of his drink so the next guy could have received the same as him.. maybe he came in at a bad time? or was LQQking for a problem so found one (i bet on that one myself).. i think he is full of himself posting here instead of filling a formal complaint through proper starbucks channels...it shows he doesnt really care if the problem is solved but that he just wants to bi#@ch ...
100 dollors said if we didnt entertain his gossop with replies he would get bored and target another forum for his rants..chances are he probly got mad at the messed up drink and took it out on the bathroom himself in a fit of rage ?LOL?
i had a nice experience when i was there..but a bad one once before aswell.. just bad timeing for him i guess but who cares.. is there a clean bathroom anywhere in north seattle thats ALWAYS clean? anywhere that see's a significant amount of buisness daily? No.... i got a great idea... why dont you ride a metro buss and tell us of that experience...

LOLOLOL :)

[proud partner]

Really? It is not hard to keep up on the bathrooms. My store was one of the clean ones and it is not that difficult!!

There is a whole module in your training plan on how to take care of the bathrooms, if you are not sure just refer to it. It is step by step and even tells you what cleaners to use where. Also, it is stated that you REMOVE your apron before entering a restroom or tending to the trash.

It is completely unacceptable for people to have the attitude that they are too good to have "potty duty". I too wonder about the cleanliness of your whole store if you just ignore the things that are not important to you. And.....if you really feel that it is not your job, then find a new one that doesn't require you to clean a restroom!

[Venti Urnex Latte]

If you remove your apron before cleaning a bathroom or taking out the trash, you will most likely get dirt or schmutz all over your clothing. There needs to be a better solution such as a HAZ-MAT suit.

[idbarista]

Hmm. Although I strongly agree with some of the posters above who object to the idea that baristas are above cleaning bathrooms, I also think that those baristas will most likely find themselves out of work in future quarters.

And I'm not trying to imply that they'll be fired, just that generally, anyone who thinks they're too good to clean a bathroom, mop a floor, or take out trash is most likely a spoiled brat who won't last long in a tough economy.

Or perhaps, rather than getting fired, they'll quit because everyone hates them (this tends to happen with those types at my store...).

Just my two cents.

[The Loud Screaming Barista Of New York]

Whoa now, I wasn't saying I wouldn't take out the trash or mop the floor, those are duties that any person working in this particular industry needs to do. I was simply saying that going full onslaught in the bathroom and making it immaculate is neither worth the effort or will get you a praise or thank you. Make it clean enough (disinfect the seat cover and wipe down the mirrors) but don't go Mr. Clean in there, you'll just end up being taken advantage of every time by your superiors, which is the case in my store.

[Smiling In The South]

The moniker a person chooses to use can sometimes tell us a lot about a person.

[CamSpi]

This conversation is reminding me of when I asked a new hire to take the trash to the dumpster.
"Are you joking or being serious right now?" LOL!

[whysbxwhy]

There are stores everywhere that are not anything like they were. I know of an experience where a partner new to a store but not new to SBX took the lead and cleaned the filty bathrooms. They used a bristle brush that was back by the dish sink and scrubbed the toilets (2) spotless. Later that morning they saw another partner using that same brush to clean the coffee urns! They spoke up and told the urn cleaner about the previous use of the said brush. To which the urn cleaner said "thats OK it has happened before, the chemicals that clean the urn is strong enough to kill any germs" True story.