Starbucks Siren Finds a Home in Coney Island

Coney Island finally has a Starbucks. Residents have walked by the storefront on the corner of Surf Avenue and West 10th street for almost two years, wondering when they’d be able to enjoy their favorite drinks from the coffee giant. Starbucks planned to open the store in the summer of 2019, but opposition from the Coney Island Community Board held it up.

Starbucks executives chose a prime location across from the Cyclone rollercoaster and a short walk from the Aquarium. Executives wanted the store to operate with a Drive-Thru and in-store café, but community members feared a Drive-Thru would cause traffic jams along Surf Avenue, creating a fire and safety issue. So, Starbucks could not open its doors until they got approval from the Department of Buildings and the Fire Department. After months of planning and navigating through the pandemic, Starbucks received the green light and opened March 4.

Mark Cruz has been with the company for six years and will run the Coney Island store. “Customers can expect to receive exemplary service from an outstanding group of baristas here,” he said. “I hope the customers are excited too, especially the ones that live nearby.” A California native, Cruz is aware of Coney Island’s fun reputation and hopes the store will become a part of it. “I want this Starbucks to be a part of the Coney Island experience, and for customers to want to come to this store specifically, and not just visit Nathan’s Hot Dogs.”

New employees will make up most of the staff, and they feel anxious and excited to work. The pandemic has left millions unemployed, and young workers have been affected the most. In September 2020, 19 percent of adults under 25 in the city had lost jobs compared with 14 percent of all workers according to James Parrott, the director of economic and fiscal policy at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School.

Shaniece Spence signed on to the company two weeks before the grand opening and is grateful to be able to work. “I’m ready to make my store one of the best,” she said. “I was drawn to work at Starbucks because of the love and compassion you receive from the company and partners, and the teamwork you build.”

On opening day, Debbie, a Coney Island resident, said, “My son is gonna love this. He loves all this stuff. It’ll be great for the kids because we’ve never had anything like this before.”

Although Governor Cuomo has given the okay for restaurants to allow indoor dining at 35 percent capacity, this location will keep its seating closed. “Opening the store during the pandemic isn’t ideal for business,” Cruz mentioned. “We hope to make the best of it and focus on the bright future this store will have.”