Starbucks to Open Inside SC Funeral Home

(EASLEY, S.C.) -- As the owner of a South Carolina funeral home, Chris Robinson is in the business of helping people grieve. This summer, he plans to do that with a hand from Starbucks.

Funeral-goers at the Robinson Funeral Home in Easley, S.C., will soon find baristas in Starbucks uniforms serving lattes in the lobby, where Robinson is building a “Coffee Corner.” Robinson, whose family has owned the funeral home for four generations, said the addition of a Starbucks on the premises — complete with a Wi-Fi area, fireplace and television — is intended as one more way to comfort the bereaved.

“It should help families escape from the stress a little bit, having a private area to get their minds off of what’s going on,” Robinson said.

The coffee shop will not be a full-fledged Starbucks, and Robinson’s agreement with the company stipulates that there will be no glowing green Starbucks sign outside the funeral home.

While the coffee is intended primarily for funeral attendees, it will be open to the public via a patio entrance.

Starbucks spokeswoman Alisa Martinez said the agreement between Robinson and Starbucks is one of tens of thousands of food service accounts the company has with establishments ranging from hospitals to auto dealerships to health clubs.

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