This is easily the worst stand-alone Starbucks in a 20 mile radius. It could in fact be the worst Starbucks in the entire East Valley...I just haven't been to every location to prove it yet.
Something is "off" about this location. The drinks are generally fine, but the staff is, and has been, consistently a letdown -- for years. They are the least customer-focused group of Starbucks employees I have ever come across. The staff at this location is more concerned about themselves than the customers. And, that is customer-service-cancer right there.
Corporate would do well to come in and clean house at this location -- a scorched earth scenario: fire 'em all and start fresh. Because for the atmosphere to remain so consistently inward-focused and cliquish for this many years tells me that something (most likely someone) is at work keeping things that way. A negative employee culture has developed and has been let fester. It's palpable and off-putting.
If any Starbucks managers (or preferably DMs) scan Yelp reviews, take this one to heart. I've been to a TON of Starbucks locations all over, and this location is one of the worst from a customer service standpoint.
Overall, I'm done with this location. Today was the last straw. I'd rather go without coffee than be made feel unwelcome while buying it. I can't see me ever returning to this location...unless by some far-fetched chance corporate really does come in here and clean house. Good riddance.