Starbucks will resume operations in many stores by end of May

May 4, 2020, Toronto, Ont. – Starbucks expects to resume operations in as many stores as possible in Canada by the end of May.

The company says cafés that are to be opened will be determined on a community-by-community basis as Starbucks continues to prioritize the health and well-being of its customers and partners.

The announcement was made on the company’s website and in an open letter posted by Lori Digulla, president of Starbucks Canada.

“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 states that when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the company made the decision to step back and rethink what partner (employee) and customer safety looked like.

“Starbucks closed most company-operated cafés and reduced its service to drive-thru, delivery, and take-out only. These open stores have helped Starbucks test and refine new ways of working, specifically in this social-distancing environment, and now, the company is ready to roll out its new model more broadly.”

Starbucks says it 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.