Has Starbucks gotten rid of the newspaper-sharing basket at your store?

A journalist writes to Starbucks Gossip:

"At two Starbucks locations I frequent here in LA, it seems like they've removed what seemed to be the standard newspaper-sharing basket, where people would leave newspapers they'd bought to read there.

"I haven't asked anybody, but I wondered if it's some kind of strange move to drive newspaper sales or make stores seem "cleaner" or something."

I suspect that this no-more-baskets edict came from a district manager. Does anyone know more?

Comments

[Di Peterson]

Still here in Starbucks Milledgeville GA.Matter of fact we have a book shelf where people bring books and borrow books!

[Joe]

It has not been removed in my store in Maaaachusetts

[baroosta]

Most of the newspapers that are thrown in that bin are not purchased.

[sarah b]

Wouldn't the logical thing be to ask at the store, not on the internet?

It's just a welded piece of metal. It probably got lost or broken. There is no conspiracy to "drive newspaper sales," since Starbucks doesn't really make money off them anyway.

[abacabb]

So many cheapskates used to fight over the used newspapers. We threw ours out years ago.

[KDH]

There's a basket at my store, but it's used for local free magazines. People will leave their papers on tables sometimes...I just scavenge them for the crosswords and toss them.

[Jmy9595]

My store just has papers for sale and of course the old guy who comes in, takes them without buying, crumples them up and puts them back. I'm sure he's a tea party type too, has the look.

[ImChiquita]

Jmy9595, and what look would that be? White without tats or piercings?

Look who's judgmental now.

[Tiki]

They've been missing from quite a few stores I've visited in the San Diego area :(

[baristajack]

Let me say, the honorable people who purchase their papers leave the store with them. The "basket of shame" we have is for the folks who steal the papers , read thru them , don't return, and then feel too guilty to leave with them. Shame on any of you who do not pay for the paper, it is a disgrace to those who do the right thing and pay. Just another example of the self entitled species we have become. We don't make money on them , they are just a convenience for our guests. It frustrates me when people steal them.