well, Damon, that's why I said "Starbucks in Borders" and not "Starbucks." [
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After the Borders-affiliated concession in the Hilo store closed, Starbucks could have tightened up the rules and made the seating on their side of the store for food and drink patrons only, but they didn't.
quote[I've been told that I wasn't allowed to bring in "outside" food, (even though it was just a friggin subway sandwich) [/quote]
Damon, I worked in restaurants for years, and none of them want you to bring in outside food. If you want to combine their drink with a sandwich from somewhere else, then you are supposed to order it to go and consume it off premises.
That said, I was told there when I said I wanted something not-sweet to eat, to go next door and get something if I wanted. I didn't, but only because it's ingrained in me not to do that; I noticed a few people were.
I'm amazed at how people who don't use the Hilo Borders-Starbucks are so convinced that it's corporate evil at work -- it really is a great place to unwind, and lots of the patrons live in Puna ... (overheard conversations)
I'm not so bummed that it won't be a Starbucks any more, but we went through 2-3 months last time it closed and noisy construction, so yeah, I'm bummed to be losing my chill out place when in town.
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