Additional Coverage:
- Starbucks is asking customers in South Korea to stop bringing monitors, printers, and desk dividers into their stores (businessinsider.com)
Starbucks Korea Asks Patrons to Leave the Office at Home
South Korea’s thriving café culture has hit a snag: some Starbucks customers are taking the “third place” concept a bit too literally, transforming cafes into personal offices complete with desktops, printers, and even desk partitions. Starbucks Korea has responded by requesting patrons leave the heavy-duty office equipment at home.
Notices posted in stores across the country specifically ask customers to refrain from bringing in items like desktop computers, printers, extension cords, and – perhaps most surprisingly – desk partitions. The company clarified that laptops and other personal devices are still welcome but emphasized the need to maintain a shared space accessible to all. The new policy also gently reminds customers to take their belongings with them when leaving their seats for extended periods and to be mindful of sharing tables designed for multiple occupants.
This move comes in response to the growing “cagongjok” trend, where individuals work or study in cafes for prolonged periods. While cafes have always been popular workspaces, the sheer volume of equipment some patrons are bringing has begun to infringe on the café experience for others. Images circulating on social media show customers erecting makeshift offices within Starbucks, effectively privatizing sections of the café.
A Starbucks representative confirmed the policy update, stating the goal is to ensure a “pleasant and accessible store experience” for everyone. Importantly, the representative clarified that this doesn’t involve imposing time limits on customers.
South Korea represents Starbucks’ third-largest market globally, boasting over 2,000 locations. This incident highlights the sometimes conflicting desires of providing a welcoming “third place” while also managing the practicalities of a high-traffic retail space.