One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Photos: Highland Park's Sad Starbucks Gets A Happier Facelift
Sometimes stories have happy endings, and that seems to be the case for the Sad Starbucks of Highland Park.
After it popped up sometime last summer on the 6200 block of York Boulevard, the store was called many things that would only make it sadder (if it actually had feelings): "insulting," "disappointing," "ugly," and even "the most depressing Starbucks in America." Starbucks heard the cries and announced the store would be getting a facelift.
After less than a month of renovations, the store reopened today so LAist took the opportunity to pop in for a flat white. We were surprised at how much class was added in addition to simply making it not-ugly. The candles on every table! The mural by the bathroom! The dark wood finish! There's no indoor seating, but plenty of patio space for fresh air. That'll be nice for those hot summer days.
The formerly-depressing Starbucks has already been greeted with rave reviews. "When we pulled in, I thought this was the best looking Starbucks we've ever been to," one person told ABC 7. How much the whole re-do cost Starbucks won't say, but you can't put a price on a fresh start.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
