The era of shared spaces at Starbucks has ended! No staying in the café or restroom without payment.

Since 2018, the company has allowed anyone to use its shared Starbucks space; the chain allows free refills for non-members.

Zhitong Finance14:44

Express News | Starbucks China states that stores in the country remain open for free.

Breakings10:16

Starbucks North America requires consumers to make a purchase to enter the store, while the customer service in China states that each store manages itself and there is no mandatory requirement for free public access.

On January 14, according to The Paper, local time on January 13, the coffee chain brand "Starbucks" announced a new regulation, overturning the open policy implemented since 2018. Stores across North America will no longer be open for free; customers will need to make a purchase to enter, and employees will also receive training related to this new policy. Upon calling Starbucks' official customer service in China, the representative stated that currently, Starbucks in the country is managed and operated by each store individually, and specific circumstances are determined by the stores themselves, with no mandatory requirement to not be open for free.

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China Daily10:57

Why Hanging Out at Starbucks Could Start Costing You Soon

Yahoo Finance07:01

Hanging Out at Starbucks Will Cost You as Company Reverses Its Open-door Policy

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