It’s the type of violation Rowen says is pretty common at the store on South Dale Mabry.
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Rob Rowen, owner of Nuance Galleries in Tampa, received a letter in the mail on Thursday from Starbucks Corporate Office that read he is no longer allowed on any Starbucks property for, “causing disruption to business” and “threatening the well-being of a customer”.
A Florida man says he has been banned for life from Starbucks, all because he called out people who were illegally using the handicapped parking spaces. “I don’t want you to come back in this store ever.'”. I said, I’m one of your customers.
“I care because I have a big heart”, he said.
“I certainly don’t feel like I’m harassing somebody”. I went and made sure they weren’t handicapped. “I care because my son-in-law is one of those people who uses those parking spots”.
If you’re wondering why Rowen is so passionate since he’s not handicapped, he says it’s personal.
It seems his tactics worked, because on Sunday Starbucks told Rowen it had reversed the ban and it’d work to improve handicapped parking at its St. Pete location.
“Here’s the letter…it’s a notice of expulsion and warning against trespassing and it says I’ve been expelled from Starbucks coffee company locations for the reasons listed above”, Rowen said.
“She said to me, you’re harassing my customers”.
He is obeying the request and staying out of Starbucks.
But a few months ago, another customer complained and got Rowen permanently kicked out of that store by the manager. However, Starbucks has stated that they are making a gratuitous effort to resolve the parking issues where the establishment is located.
Starbucks spokesman Jim Olson told ABC News via email: “We understand Mr. Rowen’s concerns”.
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“I threatened to embarrass him by telling everybody he was parked illegally”, Rowen says. We expect all of our customers to treat each other and our partners (employees) respectfully.
