PROVO, Utah (AP) — Starbucks will open its first stand-alone shop in Provo near Brigham Young University.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports the Seattle-based coffee giant confirmed on Tuesday its plans to open a store near BYU’s campus in the spring of 2020. Students are taught as part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ health code to avoid coffee and tea, known as “The Word of Wisdom.”
Provo economic director Dixon Holmes told the Tribune the city’s regulations are non-denominational despite BYU’s conservative reputation. The city is home to several locally owned coffee shops.
Residents expressed mixed feelings ranging from shock to excitement to the announcement on social media. Some local coffee shop owners said they welcomed the addition and weren’t too concerned about the new competition.
