Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which honors the late American civil rights activist, is observed on the third Monday of every January. This year it falls on January 18.
Most coffee shops are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but some may be operating on reduced hours. Some may also be offering modified services amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Here we look at the opening hours at different coffee shops on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Contact your local branch to confirm exact hours and any COVID-19 safety restrictions in place before traveling to any venues listed below.
Starbucks
Most Starbucks venues are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but hours differ by branch. Daily hours are normally from around 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
Several COVID-19 safety measures have been in place, including a face-covering requirement across all its U.S. shops, since Starbucks began reopening some of its previously closed venues.
"At select locations where a local government [mask] mandate is not in place, customers that may not be wearing a facial covering will have various options to order their Starbucks, including ordering at the drive-thru, curbside pickup through the Starbucks app or placing an order for delivery through Starbucks Delivers," the company noted.
In a December update, the company stated: "We will continue to make proactive decisions that are grounded in transparency and science.
"We continue to closely monitor guidance from local and national health authorities and will update our store procedures to adhere to the most effective health and safety standards," the company said.
Dunkin' Donuts
Most Dunkin' Donuts locations are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Typical daily hours vary by branch. Check your local venue to confirm exact timings.
Several COVID-19 safety measures have also been implemented amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including hygiene training and employee health checks using infrared thermometers. Guests have been required to wear face-coverings inside all Dunkin' Donuts venues from mid-August.
"In addition to drive-thru service, we added curbside pick-up, expanded delivery to thousands of Dunkin' locations, promoted mobile ordering through our app, and suggested payment by credit card versus cash," the company said.
Peet's Coffee and Tea
Most branches of Peet's Coffee and Tea are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but daily hours of operation vary by location. Check your nearest branch at the company website for exact timings.
The company has issued several COVID-19 safety guidelines, including employee health checks and mandatory face-coverings, which are "now required for entry and service at all Peet's locations," according to its website.
Panera Bread
Most branches of the bakery-cafe chain are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but exact hours vary by branch. Typical daily hours are from around 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. local time.
Panera Bread also issued several COVID-19 safety measures amid the ongoing outbreak, such as required face-coverings across all venues from July 15, the company noted on its website.
"Beginning Wednesday, July 15, Panera guests are asked to wear a mask inside our bakery-cafes nationwide. To ensure the safety of our associates and guests, masks are required at all times, except while seated and eating or drinking.
"If any customer does not have or want to wear a mask for any reason, we will happily serve them via Panera Curbside, Delivery or Drive-Thru," the company added.
Its dining rooms have been opening on a rolling basis with "strict safety measures" in place, the company noted.
Caribou Coffee
Most Caribou Coffee shops are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but some may be operating on reduced schedule. Daily opening hours are from around 5:30 a.m. to around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. local time.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, customers at all Caribou Coffee locations have also been required to wear face-coverings.
"Customers who are not wearing a face-covering have alternate options to receive their order, including ordering at the drive-thru or selecting curbside pickup through the Caribou App. Those with underlying medical exemptions and young children are excluded from the requirement," the company said on its website.
Au Bon Pain
Most branches of the bakery cafe chain are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day but exact hours vary by location.
The company also introduced several COVID-19 safety measures amid the ongoing outbreak, such as the enhancement of "café cleaning protocols to include more frequent sanitizing, cleaning of high-touchpoint locations and deep cleanings," according to its website.
"Hand-sanitizing stations" as well as "antimicrobial screens for our ordering tablets" to be used by both customers and staff were rolled out across its locations from March.
The company has also emphasized: "All café team members wash hands every 30 minutes, and upon switching tasks."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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