Starbucks reopens after long closure

UPDATE: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 5:15 p.m.

Starbucks reopened Tuesday after 10-day-or-so closure. The store was closed out of an abundance of caution after an employee exhibited potential COVID-19 symptoms. But there was no positive COVID-19 case at the store, according to a Starbucks corporate spokesperson. The store’s reopening, which had been expected Monday morning, was delayed because of a broken front door lock, the spokesperson said.

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It’s been a hot topic in Maricopa Facebook groups for days.

Well, ever since a sign went up on the door that reads:

OUR STORE IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED

“Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience. We are working to re-open our store as quickly as possible.”

So, why has the Starbucks store at 21423 N. John Wayne Pkwy. – you know, the one next to Rosati’s Pizza – been closed for about a week now?

People asking on social media why the store closed – and when it would reopen – were quickly reminded there are Starbucks counters in Fry’s Marketplace and Basha’s grocery stores. A number of alternatives, including Monsoon, Honeycutt Coffee and Dunkin, were tossed out as well.

“There is two more in town don’t panic people,” Mike Zamora wrote on Facebook.

The reason for the closing was a subject of speculation, one person suggesting it was due to a water main break. And, of course, many assumed it was because someone at the store tested positive for coronavirus.

Close but no cigar.

There was no positive COVID-19 case at the store, according to Jory Mendes, senior manager of corporate communications for Starbucks.

But there was an “abundance of caution” taken when an employee indicated they were experiencing potential symptoms, Mendes said. That employee and all others who had been in close contact with them are self-isolating. Due to limited staffing, the store was closed.

It will reopen Monday, Mendes said.

Mendes said the Starbucks elevated cleaning and sanitizing protocols in March to protect employees, customers and communities, including mandatory facial coverings, social distancing and other safety protocols and virus mitigation efforts recommended by public health officials.