Rachel Johnson
News Assistant
The closure of Diedrich’s Coffee in the Malibu Colony Plaza was set for Monday but will now be closed tomorrow, according to a store employee who wishes to remain unnamed.
“There were some issues with paperwork and policing,” the employee said.
Many employees interviewed, including the manager, said that they did not want to disclose their names because they did not want to jeopardize their future jobs at Starbucks.
According to a Sept. 28 article in the Graphic, Starbucks Corp., paid approximately $13.5 million for a majority of Diedrich Coffee Inc.’s stores, including the Malibu location many Pepperdine students frequent. After the coffee shop closes, two months of renovation will take place and Starbucks will open in the plaza.
Diedrich’s employees will not be left in the cold, however, as Starbucks offered jobs to all current employees of the locations they are taking over. They also have the choice of where to work; if a Starbucks location is closer to their home than the former Diedrich’s spot in Malibu, employees may choose to transfer.
Diedrich’s coffee will still be sold online and there are shops open in Texas and Denver. Employees and customers are sad to see the coffee shop in Malibu go.
Another Diedrich’s employee, who also wishes to remain unnamed, has worked at Diedrich’s for three years and though she will work at Starbucks, will miss working at Diedrich’s.
“I’m sad,” she said. “I like the coffee shop.”
Darian Braswell, a Malibu resident who frequents the coffee shop, said he is disappointed to not only lose the free internet Diedrich’s provides (Starbucks charges for patrons to use the internet) but also because he thinks the local shop is a nice change from large chains.
“There are so many Starbucks coffee shops in this area,” said Braswell, citing the Starbucks shops near Marmalade and another near Trancas as examples. “Why do we need a third?”
Scott Jeffries, a Woodland Hills resident who makes the trek through the canyon to have Diedrich’s coffee, echoed Braswell’s sentiment that small shops like Diedrich’s are refreshing after being inundated with chain restaurants and stores.
“Starbucks [as a corporation] was a great idea when it was in its baby stage,” said Jeffries, “but like all babies, it grew up ugly and fat.”
Pepperdine students also expressed frustration at a Starbucks moving into the location, claiming that the reason Malibu is unique because of all the hole-in-the-wall restaurants and shops it offers.
“Putting in a Starbucks is taking away from the different options that places like Diedrich’s provide,” said senior Krystal Delgado.
“The small non-chain options that make Malibu unique are getting booted and are becoming overlooked by chains,” added senior Janie Smothers. “The little places, the Malibu Yos, the Diedrichs’—those are the places we’ll remember from college.”
Yet others find hope in the situation. One Diedrich’s employee is glad to be offered the chance to work at a Starbucks location that is much closer to his home. Because he lives in Los Angeles, he makes the 45 minute, 35 mile commute every day to get to Diedrich’s. With Starbucks’ new offer, he’ll be able to choose a location within walking distance.
“It’s a blessing,” he said. “It’s close to home and I like the management. It’s time to move on.”
02-01-2007
