Starbucks on Hillcrest = Drastic Changes

About a year ago at the Starbucks on Hillcrest in Snider Plaza my four year old started standing on a chair near the production line so he could see how each drink was made. He started guessing what kind of drink it was before the order was yelled out for pick up. Early on he could only guess mochas and lattes. Once the employees became accustomed to the game, now called “Mocha or Latte”, they started teaching him hints to guess other drinks. For example, half foam is cappuccino and the drizzle on top of a certain colored concoction is likely a macchiato.

Well, I ran into the same Starbucks this morning and discovered that they had installed a plastic, opaque half wall blocking all sight of drink preparation. No more “Mocha or Latte.” I don’t know how I’ll break this news to my son. And for the record, this drastic change has impacted the staff too. They report significant anxiety and feelings of being confined and boxed in. Our morning beverages are sure to suffer.