A Caribou Coffee outlet in suburban Northbrook is facing community anger after the store's management erased a window display created by a local high school's Gay-Straight Alliance for homecoming week.
Chicago Tribune reported Sept. 27 that Glenbrook North High School officials learned mid-week that the display had been erased following customer complaints. The GSA is one of several school clubs that decorate at local businesses during homecoming week and was tasked with decorating the windows at Caribou's Northbrook location, 1347 Shermer Rd.
Debbie Shulman of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays told The Tribune that she was informed by the store management that it did not want to take sides on issues.
"We're certainly disappointed," District 225 spokeswoman Karen Geddies told Northbrook Star. "We've received many calls. GBN is supportive of a diverse, respectful environment, with students being able to be who they are."
Caribou's corporate office in Minneapolis, Minn., issued a statement Sept. 26 saying that the Northbrook location was not following company policy.
"It is a corporate-wide key pillar that we are accepting of all individuals regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation. It's our hope that all of our guests feel welcome in our coffeehouses," said the statement.
"Unfortunately, the actions undertaken by the Northbrook store team were not in alignment with our executional standards and policies; however, we take full responsibility of these actions.
"We completely understand your concerns and we are taking an immediate review of our policies and practices at the store level to ensure every customer has a welcoming and positive experience in our stores.
"We're open to a lot of possibilities to resolving this but it has to be authentic, not just saying, 'I'm sorry,'" said Caribou District Manager Meike Fonteyn.
Shulman told the Tribune that Fonteyn was handling the incident in a professional and sensitive manner.
The GSA will meet this week to discuss a formal response to Caribou.
