Denver’s Amethyst Coffee closed in 2022, two years after raising prices to better compensate staff. But that doesn’t mean the project was a failure—in fact, it still offers lessons for the industry today.
Many college campuses serve Starbucks—Gen Z is, after all, fueling Starbucks continued growth—but now some students are urging their universities to ditch the company over its anti-union tactics. “This can happen on any university campus, with any affiliate of Starbucks, and it will happen if they continue to union-bust,” said Nick Wilson, a Cornell student and former Starbucks worker.
Plus, Cxffeeblack is raising funds for its barista exchange program, and Dean from Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee is retiring and the company is becoming a worker-owned co-op.
I'm a coffee writer and creator of The Pourover. Based in Scotland, I have over a decade of experience in the specialty coffee industry. Ask me about coffeewashing. It's pronounced Fin (he/him)