Page 13 - IAV Digital Magazine #443

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Thousands of People Are Trying to Stop A Starbucks From Opening in Yosemite
Cailey Rizzo - January 17, 2018
Nothing says “I enjoy the great outdoors” like a Venti Mocha Frappuccino.
Earlier this month, The Fresno
Bee reported tha t a Starbucks outpost would open
in Yosemite Nati
onal Park this spring.
Almost immedi- ately, a petition was started on Change.org to stop the Starbucks, say- ing “multinational corporations have no place in our national parks.” So
far, more than 21,000 people have signed.
The food court will be operated by Yosemite Hospitality, which earned a 15-year con- tract with the national park in 2015. The con- tract included operating public services, includ- ing “reducing vehicle traffic in Yosemite Valley, increasing water conservation, reducing elec-
tricity and fuel usage, and enhancing food and beverage operations for visitors.”
Currently, the closest Starbucks loca- tions are in near- by Mammoth Lakes, to the southeast of Yosemite, and in Sonora, west of the park.
“This new Starbucks offer- ing is part of our commitment to working with the NPS to design and develop pro- grams that offer a wide array of offerings and menu items that enhance the overall visitor dining experi- ence at Yosemite
National Park,” Aramak
told Travel + Leisure in a statement. “This and the other new and improved offer- ings that are part of Yosemite Valley Lodge’s food court reno- vation are reflec- tive of guest feedback we’ve received. Starbucks is replacing an existing retail coffee brand. No new structures or free-standing stores are being built as part of this renovation. The Starbucks offering will occupy existing space.”
“It’s worth not- ing, Starbucks has a long track record of and
deep commit- ment to social and environmen- tal impact, which we believe will benefit Yosemite National Park,” Aramak added.
The Starbucks will be part of a new food court, opening in the spring at
the Yosemite Valley Lodge. The food court will offer sand- wiches, salads, coffee and other concessions to visitors. The petition urged Aramak to con- sider local offer- ings instead of a corporation.
Since the peti- tion, Aramak has removed a job posting for a manager role at the store.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine