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After the sad Highland Park Starbucks was dubbed "The Most Depressing Starbucks in America," the folks behind it are vowing to give it a fresh makeover.
The Eastsider reports that Highland Park architect Catherine Garrison, who analyzed the problems with this sorry coffee shop located on the 6400 block of York Boulevard, has been in talks with Starbucks executives about the process. She's given the changes her blessing, "The plans sound good and I think HP will end up with a much better community space as a result."
Starbucks had said in a statement earlier this month that they agreed with the criticism: "We agree this store is not representative of this neighborhood, and are committed to taking specific actions that will address the concerns we've heard."
Garrison said that they'll be making changes soon like adding more windows where customers can interact with the baristas. When LAist visited this Starbucks earlier this month, we noticed there were only two ordering windows (one of which is the drive-thru), and two very tiny, prison-like windows that employees could gaze out of. The outer set looked like mismatched window frames pick up from a liquidation sale. Starbucks said they'll be removing those and adding roll-up doors instead.
Starbucks is also going to relocate a unisex restroom that is located right next to the ordering window and just steps away from a bleak sitting area that has about four or five bar stools pressed against the wall.
They also must've gotten the memo about the cooler side of Highland Park: they are switching out the roll-up metal doors with two wooden, barn door-style doors.
Starbucks is also adding some lights and a trellis to the outside patio area where the concrete picnic tables are. The planters in front will be taken out as well, and replaced with more sidewalk seating.
No word yet on whether they'll be adding that Starbucks staple: a milk and sugar bar station.
