Abigail Zaccaria

DeKalb should change the liquor law because I believe it will do no harm and only generate more business for Starbucks. Most people are not going to go to Starbucks to chug a bunch of beers. The drinks that Starbucks serves will also not have very much alcohol in them as it plans on still following the low alcohol content aspect of DeKalb’s liquor law. The line between bars and restaurants will remain clear because restaurants will still offer more food choices on their menu than bars and bars will have harder liquors on their menu where as Starbucks will serve only beer and wine. Changing this law will also benefit students who are hanging out or studying with their friends at a place like Starbucks and want to enjoy a beer.

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Faith Mellenthin

DeKalb should consider changing its liquor laws for Starbucks and the other few restaurants that hold permits to serve low alcohol content drinks. This is a great opportunity to create a more relaxing place to legally drink.

Currently, I have no desire to drink inside bars after I turn 21 this year. The loud atmosphere just does not appeal to how I would like to unwind at the end of a long day. By allowing businesses to serve alcohol without requiring the customer to also purchase a meal, it would become possible to drink in a more relaxing atmosphere.

Students who came to Starbucks for the late night menu would have to plan to leave by 10 p.m., which is when it closes. The early hour could discourage overdrinking and overspending. When people of age do drink they have to choose between bars or spending even more money on food as well. I know I would like to see more casual places that promote a responsible and relaxing atmosphere where quality of alcohol becomes more important than the quantity.

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Kaylyn Zielinski

Starbucks’s late night alcohol menu would be a great addition to the business. DeKalb should change its liquor laws so this alcoholic drink menu can be incorporated to the Sycamore Road location.

There is a serious disconnect between the DeKalb community and the university; they are almost like two separate entities. Adding alcohol to the Starbucks menu could be a way to bridge the two together. The addition of alcohol would give students a place to study and socialize with friends closer to the center of town. Starbucks is already a great study place for students when they want to drink coffee, but this would create a more relaxed environment. Students would be able to converse over beer or wine while still being able to hear each other.

Adding alcoholic beverages at Starbucks would help bring students closer to the community. DeKalb should change its liquor laws so that students have options for where to go at night other than loud bars.

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Hanna Markezich

I do not think that DeKalb should change its liquor laws for Starbucks. Starbucks is a quiet place for students to study in – adding alcohol in the mix may stress out students during exams.

The city law states a customer must buy a meal with his or her alcoholic drink at establishments with the liquor license that Starbucks is requesting. If a student did not want a meal, they could simply go to a grocery store and purchase his or her alcohol there without being required to spend more money.

During exams, students are stressed about school. Starbucks offers a study-­friendly atmosphere, but with the addition of alcohol that environment wil be ruined. Some students who decide to drink may disrupt others trying to relax or get work done. Although Starbucks would be selling low percent alcohol, this would not stop some from getting drunk. The intention of Starbucks selling alcohol would be to better its sales, but I do not think DeKalb should change its laws. I would not want to be studying for an exam and be interrupted by a drunk crowd.