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STARBUCKS hopes to move forward with its plans for the first-ever drive-through cafe after two arson attacks led to more security measures put in place.
However, the residents in Taos, New Mexico, where the cafe is being built have boycotted the development, calling the proposed coffee shop “Charbucks.”
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To protect the area from another attack, the building’s contractor in nearby Albuquerque installed security cameras and a guard who sleeps at the site in a camouflage trailer.
Starbucks is hoping to open the location by spring 2025, however, the Toas residents, who have opposed national chains coming to town, are naming any names regarding the previous attacks.
“We don’t know who did it, but we loved it,” Todd Lazar told Reuters while sitting outside World Cup, a local coffee spot.
Lazar and other residents slammed Starbucks for attempting to move into the town, which prides itself on local shops.
Stickers were found on several businesses throughout the town with the Starbucks logo on fire, reported Reuters.
“Taos is a dynamic and volatile contact zone between different groups, imperial powers, ecotones,” said Sylvia Rodriguez, emerita professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico.
Taos has a history of revolts dating back to the 1680s, said Rodriguez.
Residents like Lazar say a wave of remote workers during and after the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a demand for national chains in the town, causing housing shortages.
The Taos city council supported the Starbucks on the condition it would provide employment and tax revenue said Christopher Larsen, the town’s economic development director.
However, residents say jobs aren’t the problem.
“People are showing up saying ‘I’d love to work here, I can’t afford to live here,'” said Andrew Meyer, the owner of World Cup.
Instead, residents say the main issue is the housing crisis as few households can afford the town’s average home price of $460,000.
“The feeling is that Taos doesn’t want corporate America,” said Larsen.
However, Starbucks spokesman, Sam Jefferies told the outlet that safety was its top concern and that it would work with police once the cafe is open.
Jefferies added that the decision to build the cafe came after the success of two Starbucks outlets in supermarkets nearby.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is working with Taos agencies and is offering a $30,000 reward for information on the arson attacks.
History of Taos, New Mexico revolts
Taos, New Mexico has a brief history of revolts in the town dating back more than 300 years.
August 10, 1680 – A large revolt was led by San Juan Pueblo Indian Popé, against Spanish colonial rule, leading to the Spaniards being expelled from New Mexico
January 1847 – The Taos Revolt took place during the Mexican-American War between Pueblo Native Americans and Mexicans against the US occupation of northern New Mexico
The revolt lasted for nearly seven months, ending in July 1847 and leadfing to the Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo in 1848, guaranteeing the property rights of the state’s Hispanic and Native American residents
August 30, 2023 – An unknown arsonist sets fire to a Starbucks that was planned to be the first drive-through cafe
October 23, 2023 – The Starbucks is set on fire again – the arsonist as yet to be identified
We do not take this crime lightly and we want to get to the bottom of who committed these arsons,” Cody Monday, with the ATF told CBS affiliate KRQE-TV.
The first fire happened on August 30, 2023, while the second fire happened on October 23, 2023.
“We don’t want to put our firefighters in harm’s way. We don’t want to put any of our first responders in harm’s way, and these two fires did just that,” said City Councilor Darien Fernandez.
Pablo Flores, who owns the Coffee Apothecary slammed the unknown arsonists for the crime.
Despite being a local shopowner, Flores supports the demand for Starbucks-like drinks, which he doesn’t provide.
“Taos is changing and if you don’t like the way it’s changing, do not support that business,” told Reuters.
Don’t burn it down, that’s not cool.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Starbucks for comment.
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