Starbugs

Starbucks is all over the news today, and not in a good way. Above is a clip from a protest that took place this morning, led by employees of the chain.

The employees let the cat, or maybe rat is more appropriate, out of the bag and came clean with the fact that Starbucks has a major infestation problem. The one in Union Square has dead mice and rats in the backroom, and cockroaches crawling about. One employee even says she comes in to see mice nibbling on the pastries in the morning.

That should help with your double shot mocha frappuccino addiction.

But hey, they're giving us a free Jose Gonzalez concert AND some funny provided by Eugene Mirman. Starbucks Salon concert events listing after the jump! (And remember, no matter how delicious that apple fritter looks, remember that video clip from above.)

September 8-17, 2006 @ 76 Greene Street (in SoHo between Spring & Broome)

· House of Diehl, designers of fashion-art experiences, entertainment and clothing

· Eclectic Method, a video DJ who uniquely spins videos…not records

· Ursula Rucker, a renowned spoken word artist whose lent her voice to musical groups like The Roots

· Jim Carroll famed author of The Basketball Diaries

· Eugene Mirman, acclaimed comedian & rejuvenator of the downtown New York comedy circuit

· Jose Gonzalez, internationally acclaimed artist who plays classical guitar with quiet melodies

· Buck 65: “Avant-garde" Hip Hop artist from Halifax, Nova Scotia

· And more!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment, News on August 16, 2006 2:08 PM

Comments [rss]

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just saying

So what is the point of the Starbucks' employees griping about the infestation? Why couldn't this problem be resolved at the Starbuck's local or regional level (or with a call to the Health Department)?

Of course, Starbucks will now correct the problem. But the ultimate result of this negative publicity will be lost customers. Seems kind of pointless in the long run.

Anon

A barista can't do too much to take care of vermin during their shift--it's the job of the managers to take care of the bigger stuff by buying traps or ordering the exterminator or whatever.

John Q Citizen

Yeah, but what about the RAT infestation we have in the White House?.

Booty

Wait, shouldn't the employees be doing their job and keeping the establishment spotless to prevent the vermin infestation? Why are they complaining about themselves not performing their duties?

Apologies in advance if I sound ignorant cause I've never worked in the food industry.

Armin

That inflatable rat in the background must be the hardest working inflatable rat in the city. About two months ago I saw it propped with some protesters outside of a CVS pharmacy on 6th Ave and 25th. The owner of that rat has quite the niche market.

smitty

haha yeah, WHICH one in Union Square? The one on Union Sq. West and 17th Street? The one on Union Sq. East and 15th? Or the one in the Barnes and Noble on Union Sq. North? Sigh

Boss Tweed

That's the starbucks on the EAST side of Union Square. Right by 15th Street.

Fred and Molly

Actually, any city cat can take care of those mice, pronto.

My cat took down a pidgeon who decided to hang by our kitchen window.

Mollygizer

Everything above 14th Street has rats and roaches, too.

But a better thought; there's two Starbucks at Union Square. The west Starbucks or the east? I'd guess west, but that's just speculation.

ludlow stanton and elizabeth

To be honest, that don't look too bad.

I've seen LES and other Manhattan area apartments with worse. It's really a fact of life when living in NYC. Don't want vermin and roaches, get your own house and handle it your way.

I have noticed more flying type insects around, some as tiny as no see ums that get through some mosquito netting.