A year ago today, my beautiful Starbucks cafe was closed to seating. It was at this moment, I knew my days with the company were numbered. They took away what made Starbucks what it was, a place for people to gather and enjoy each other’s company. They took away what I loved about my job, watching and being a part of moments that make us human. I saw love blossom, friends reconnect, business deals get worked out, and people grieve. I loved getting to know my customers and their stories. After this, it was all transactional. And soon after, I became a bouncer standing outside the door only letting one person at a time in the store…it saddens me to have lost that connection to people. It saddens me that Starbucks has abandoned the philosophy they peddled for years, that I believed in because I saw the difference I could make in people’s lives by just caring and getting to know my customers. They abandoned it over fear and virtue signaling.