Starbucks reopens in Happy Valley after vandalism repairs, police release new details
Starbucks reopened Wednesday after one of the coffee chain’s locations in Happy Valley was vandalized, while investigators released additional details about the crime.
The Starbucks at 2030 N. Atherton St. reopened one day after work was done to repair a smashed glass front door and spray painted graffiti was removed from the side of the building. An exterior window was also damaged.
A person who observed the graffiti before it was cleaned said it read “Free Palestine,” StateCollege.com reported. Another image of someone cleaning the graffiti showed “Free Pales” in spray paint before it was removed.
Surveillance video showed one person damaged the property, Patton Township police wrote in a statement. The building was damaged between 11-11:30 p.m. Monday, police wrote.
Officers are investigating the damage as a report of criminal mischief, township police Chief Tyler Jolley wrote in an email Tuesday. That crime can range from a summary offense to a felony, largely based on how much damage was caused.
Those with information may call police at 800-479-0050.
“The experience and well-being of our partners and customers is core to our operation, and we continue to work with local police to support their investigation,” a Starbucks spokesperson said Tuesday.
The shop became the latest of the coffee giant’s locations nationwide to halt operations after they saw similar vandalism related to the Israel-Hamas war.
Starbucks and the union organizing its workers sued each other in October in a standoff sparked by a social media post over the war.
The business argued a pro-Palestinian social media post from the union account angered hundreds of customers and damaged its reputation. The union fired back, claiming Starbucks defamed the union by implying it supports terrorism and violence.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
