Starbucks update: employee tested positive for COVID-19

Here is the notice that hangs on the front door of Starbucks at 1200 W. Sixth St., Suite 200. Officials with corporate have yet to respond to the question of why the store has temporarily closed.

The Starbucks at Cascade Square is temporarily closed because an employee tested positive for COVID-19, according to Starbucks media specialist Jory Mendes.

Readers alerted CCCNews to the temporary closure at Starbucks earlier this week, noting the drive-through and cafe had been closed since Sunday.

The store remained closed this morning, Friday, Dec. 11.

“We recently learned that one of our partners (employees) at the store received a positive diagnosis for COVID-19, and along with those determined to have been in close contact with them, has been self-isolating at home,” Mendes wrote in an email. “As soon as we learned of the diagnosis, we quickly activated our protocols and closed the store to initiate a deep cleaning following all recommended guidelines from public health authorities. Due to staffing limitations, the store remains temporarily closed but is scheduled to reopen next Monday, 12/14.”

“Lastly, we wanted to share our At a Glance guide with you – our hub for additional information on the elevated cleaning and sanitizing protocols we’ve established as well as what customers should know when visiting our stores,” Mendes said. “Of course, you’re welcome (and I encourage you) to pull whatever you’d like from this for inclusion in any story, too.”

AT THE OTHER END OF CASCADE SQUARE - On Thursday, Dutch Bros was still in business - a ton of business. Blaze - seen here sticking his head out the window is with his human, Courtney Winter. She likes an Ice Kicker at Dutch Bros. Dutch Bros was started in Grants Pass, Oregon by Dane and Travis Boersma in 1992. The pair had come from a family Dairy business and started with a single coffee cart on the streets of Grants Pass. I was able to sit in on a company meeting with the pair as a reporter with the Grants Pass Daily Courier in the late ‘90s. The dynamic duo instructed their baristas to find ways to improve their customer’s day, offering free coffees on random Fridays. They were fun. Unfortunately, Dane Boersma died from Lou Gehrig's Disease in 2009. But Travis has carried on maintaining their positive free-wheeling attitude. Their style of doing business was always more Rock ‘n Roll than classical music. And they pushed for love and happy baristas asking about your day. Their business has flourished and the company now has 400+ locations in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona, according to their website. - Tom Peterson