The ‘Gay’ Starbucks is closing July 31. – WEHOville

The store closed early monday for a staff meeting with the district manager who told all the staff that the store would close on July 31st. And cited as the reasons, the “inability to keep employees safe’”

WEHOville has been told that as the minimum wage ordinance deadline approached the employees at the Westmount Starbucks did not receive a letter that the employer had submitted an application for a waiver. Implementing the minimum wage ordinance would be difficult to implement with employees moving among stores within West Hollywood and locations outside of West Hollywood.

Employees who transfer from store to store are entitled to different rules between West Hollywood and neighboring cities. The effects of the ordinance are still being learned by many employers.

Starbucks is known for providing exceptional wages and health benefits to its employees. In addition, WEHOville is researching an unconfirmed report that El Pollo Loco is re-considering the opening of their new West Hollywood location on the corner opposite Starbucks at Westmount and Santa Monica Blvd.

Beauty Collection, located within the Pavillion’s shopping center also announced their going out of business sale after 12 years. That follows the closures of Chop Stop and Subway and Blue Mercury who closed their doors in the past two weeks leading up to the implementation of the new rules governing employers in the City of West Hollywood.