Starbucks Canada to reopen stores by late May

TORONTO, ON., April 30, 2020 – Yesterday, Lori Digulla, president of Starbucks Canada, in an open letter to all partners, announced that Starbucks Canada expects to resume operations in as many stores as possible by the end of May.”

The upscale coffee giants say that during the in-store downtime when most of their company-operated cafés have been providing services scaled back to drive-thru, delivery and take-out it has helped Starbucks “test and refine new ways of working, specifically in this social-distancing environment.”

Starbucks says they are ready to roll out their new model more broadly, allowing for better COVID-19 protection for both customers and staff. Over the following days and weeks, customers will have access to more stores, and the company expects to “resume operations in as many stores as possible by the end of May.”

This announcement was made by Lori Digulla, president of Starbucks Canada, in an open letter to all partners today. “A lot has changed over the last six weeks,” she said. “As we enter this new phase, we know that we can evolve how we serve our customers as restrictions begin to lift and we are ready to continue to be fluid in how we serve our communities.”

Starbucks will monitor and adjust its operations, making decisions to open additional stores or expand services (like curbside pick-up or walk-in orders) on a community-by-community basis working closely with local leadership, health authorities and provincial governments as the environment and regulations change.

Also in the open letter Digulla said that during the pandemic Starbucks has continued to pay all its partners even if they weren’t working, and increased their pay you if they were. They also have been offering comprehensive mental health and EAP support.

Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic Digulla says the company developed a hugely ramped up community support program including food donations, financial grants, and prioritizing support for First Responders and Front-Line workers.

Starbucks says that reopening their in-person cafés will be determined on a “community-by-community basis as Starbucks continues to prioritise the health and well-being of its customers and partners.”

story by Terry Lankstead

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