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Goodbye Abby

November 3, 2022 1:15 pm

My favorite barista left. For her it’s a happy story. She graduated in May and got a job in her field starting in October. She had been at Starbucks for maybe a year or so. She made a difference. Upbeat and a joy to be around for employees and customers.

Someone with an outgoing personality does well there. She remembered all the regulars and their drinks, greeting them when they came through the door. It goes a long way to make people feel at home (while they are paying outrages prices for coffee!). She drew flowers on my lids if she had the time which mostly happened on Sunday mornings. For some reason I kept them. She said not even her dad kept them.

Her leaving was not unusual. My local Starbucks is staffed primarily by young people going to school. There is a major turnover in May and September as people move on to “real” jobs or seek flexible employment for school. By the time I learn someone’s name they are gone.

There was a time I would try to remember names. I’d write them down but it’s a never-ending process. Now I learn the names of people who are there long enough to have a nametag. Right now the newbies are learning and don’t have time to socialize. Maybe later when they know what they are doing.

There are old-timers too. Some have been there for a few years. They are friendly and helpful but once in a while, you come across someone who stands out. Abby stood out!

I am sure she will be a success in whatever she does.

As if to compensate me for my loss, Starbucks brought back the chestnut praline latte for the holidays today. It helps but I’ll still miss Abby.

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Posted by Kate Crimmins

Categories: changes, It happens at Starbucks, Other People, Passages

Tags: , , , ,

43 Responses to “Goodbye Abby”

  1. Oh no – just when you had her trained too! Now that it is PSL and Christmas coffee time, I hope they have a suitable replacement pronto – otherwise the lines made make you think twice.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Linda Schaub on November 9, 2022 at 11:05 pm

    1. I was out at a restaurant last night. They had pumpkin eggnog. Yuk! Pumpkin belongs in pies, maybe soups but not beverages.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 10, 2022 at 8:09 am

      1. I didn’t know pumpkin eggnog was a thing. I agree.

        Liked by 1 person

        By Linda Schaub on November 10, 2022 at 10:28 pm

        1. They will put it in anything to get you to buy it!

          Liked by 1 person

          By Kate Crimmins on November 11, 2022 at 8:01 am

  2. She sounds like a sweet girl 🙂 Hopefully she will have great success in her chosen field, and equally hopefully, you will a barista that good again! It is lovely that you saved her lids 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    By quiteayarnblog on November 9, 2022 at 2:48 am

    1. Now that I’ve taken pictures of them, I’ll probably throw them out. The turnover at Starbucks gives us all sorts of folks. One of the guys whose been there for over a year told me he’s a lifer. He likes it. The pay is good and they are flexible.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 9, 2022 at 7:47 am

      1. That’s a good idea. I bet the turnover is pretty high! Even if the pay is good, it would be a hard job to stay at.

        Liked by 1 person

        By quiteayarnblog on November 9, 2022 at 11:01 am

  3. Oh my! Chestnut praline? I must have one of those and soon. 🙂 No matter how good the coffee and drinks are, it takes pleasant encounters with baristas to make me feel comfortable. It sounds like Abby is a very special person and you’re right, she’ll be successful wherever she is! I am not good with remembering names, and I never was. I’m very impressed with anyone with such excellent “people skills.” I love that you saved the lids. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    By Debra on November 7, 2022 at 7:35 pm

    1. I was touched as some of the lids were pretty intricate.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on November 7, 2022 at 7:36 pm

  4. I only ever go to Starbucks once a week, on the way home from my part-time job, when I pick up my wife’s favorite: a flat white. Anyway, for the last three years, a lovely woman behind the counter always greeted me by name when I entered. Then suddenly, just like your Abby, she disappeared! – Marty

    Liked by 1 person

    By snakesinthegrass2014 on November 6, 2022 at 2:10 pm

    1. Awww, bummer. I didn’t see Abby for a few days and asked the manager who gave me the story. Everyone misses her but wishes her well.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 6, 2022 at 3:52 pm

  5. Wishing Abby well. When I worked downtown, there was a Starbucks in our high rise building that we frequently regularly. They knew our merry little band and made us feel special, I felt like they were good friends. It really was like a caffeine Cheers bar as they were like Abby. It was and remains the best Starbucks I’d ever been to as a patron. They made some lousy days much better and I still think fondly of that store.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Tails Around the Ranch on November 5, 2022 at 10:45 am

    1. When I was young and worked in the city. I would stop for a quick breakfast or just coffee in a snack shop. They only had a counter to sit around. The same folks came every day and it was like Cheers too. I went there for years until I was transferred to a location out of town.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 5, 2022 at 11:40 am

      1. Those kinds of establishments are the best!

        Liked by 1 person

        By Tails Around the Ranch on November 5, 2022 at 2:24 pm

  6. I’m happy for Abby, but realize your life will change because she’s gone. Interesting how much one person can do that makes something better.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Ally Bean on November 4, 2022 at 6:29 pm

    1. It was a cheerful start to the day!

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 4, 2022 at 7:24 pm

  7. People come and go these days rather quickly it seems in commercial settings but the “good ones” are SOOOO missed aren’t they. I know you wish Abby well but will miss those little signs of recognition on your coffee lids – that was a genuinely cute and special touch – she will take “specialness” to her next job I bet.

    Hugs, Pam

    Liked by 1 person

    By onespoiledcat on November 4, 2022 at 5:44 am

    1. There is another barista who occasionally does it but not often. She is an art major and extremely shy so she rarely speaks up. I greet her when I see her but she tries to stay in the background.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on November 4, 2022 at 9:22 am

  8. Chestnut praline latte! Why have I never heard of this?

    Liked by 1 person

    By iamthesunking on November 4, 2022 at 5:23 am

    1. It’s very good! You must have a Starbucks. They are all over.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 4, 2022 at 2:19 pm

  9. Well, that Chestnut Praline Latte sounds amazing! Sorry for your loss. Abby must have been like family! (Since you go there so much😆)

    Liked by 1 person

    By pollymorse on November 4, 2022 at 5:14 am

    1. She could put a smile on anyone’s face.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 4, 2022 at 9:22 am

  10. that has something very touching to read a post about Abby… well done and a good way to say thank you for being a part of our world….

    Liked by 1 person

    By easyweimaraner on November 4, 2022 at 4:25 am

  11. I enjoyed reading about Abby. It’s a shame she’s leaving.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Anne Mehrling on November 3, 2022 at 11:46 pm

    1. I know but she’s just out of college and it’s time for her to spread her wings.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on November 4, 2022 at 9:23 am

      1. She will go far, I’m sure

        Liked by 1 person

        By Anne Mehrling on November 4, 2022 at 10:13 am

  12. Hi, Kate – Abby sounds wonderful! Good service makes such an incredible difference. I was reminded of that again today when the cashier at my local grocery store could not have been grumpier. Seriously! There may have been good reasons for it but it was also contagious. I left the store feeling down as well. The world definitely needs more Abbys!

    Liked by 1 person

    By Retirement Reflections on November 3, 2022 at 9:26 pm

    1. We have a local craft store that I go in occasionally. The picture framer was upbeat and pleasant. Then one day she was grumpier than grumpy. Did something happen? I don’t know but it was such a change and kind of put a damper on our purchase.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on November 4, 2022 at 9:24 am

  13. I like chestnuts. I want to try that drink now. Sorry your favorite barista left.

    Liked by 1 person

    By 15andmeowing on November 3, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    1. I liked it so much that many years ago I bought a bottle of the syrup (Starbucks doesn’t sell it anymore). It was especially great in hot chocolate. Just a touch of nutty.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on November 4, 2022 at 9:26 am

  14. So sweet with the lids… Hope Abby finds happiness. Kate. gotta love you for finding her to be special to you♥

    Liked by 1 person

    By Pix Under the Palm Fronds on November 3, 2022 at 6:35 pm

    1. It’s the little things! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 3, 2022 at 7:17 pm

      1. It really is!

        Liked by 1 person

        By Pix Under the Palm Fronds on November 4, 2022 at 7:41 am

  15. I don’t frequent any one place enough to become a “regular” but my husband goes for coffee with a groups of friends after swimming. He seemed pretty pleased when he told me that the barista remembers what he orders. A little personal service goes a long way. Best wishes to Abby but I’m sorry you have lost such a great coffee lid artist!

    Liked by 1 person

    By Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com on November 3, 2022 at 6:13 pm

    1. I miss her. There are others that will holler out a greeting but she was consistent!

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 3, 2022 at 7:16 pm

  16. Best of luck to Abby . . .

    Liked by 1 person

    By nrhatch on November 3, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    1. ❤️

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on November 3, 2022 at 3:23 pm

  17. It’s wonderful how certain people can make even the stock phrases of their job sound sincere and upbeat. They bring precious mini-friendships into our days.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Rachel McAlpine on November 3, 2022 at 2:45 pm

    1. Yes, they do!

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 3, 2022 at 3:22 pm

  18. I am sure that you, as well as I, remember back to the days when friendly customer service was the norm. Now, with people like Abby, it is so unusual that these people end up sticking out in our minds. She may not ever know that she made a specific difference in your life, but she will find joy in hoping that she will make a difference in a lot of lives. Meanwhile, I’ll just hope that you find another barista who treats you as you should be treated.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Anonymous on November 3, 2022 at 2:14 pm

    1. All the baristas are friendly and especially the manager but Abby was special. She was touched when I told her that I kept all the lids she had drawn on. It’s not really easy to be a barista. You have to know how to make like 30 drinks and people can be so rude.

      Like

      By Kate Crimmins on November 3, 2022 at 4:25 pm

  19. Damn that chestnut praline latte looks good. Want.

    But sorry about Abby. I love it when a person makes you feel at home. We should all be able to pretend we’re at “Cheers” occasionally.

    Liked by 2 people

    By AutumnAshbough on November 3, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    1. That’s what my husband calls my local Starbucks. I’m a regular so they all know me.

      Liked by 1 person

      By Kate Crimmins on November 3, 2022 at 3:22 pm

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