I visited my local Starbucks this morning. This shop is not the one closest to me anymore (the one closest is a former Kentucky Fried Chicken), but it is the one I started taking my kids to when they were little. It's kind of sad, because that SB shop no longer exists. It was replaced with a remodel some years back and again in early 2024. I've been in there a few times since February when they reopened, but I'm just now mentioning it.
The new shop is largely built around to go orders. You can go in and place an order, but if you want to drink it there you are standing. They are using 2/3rds of the seating space they had previously (plus the bathrooms) for operating space. So, it's a small entrance area now. This store (99th Ave and Camelback) largely serves traffic off the 101 freeway, apartment residents nearby and traffic for the Cardinals stadium. They also get traffic from Camelback Ranch down the street (where Scooter's Coffee is set to open). Camelback Ranch is the spring training stadium for the LA Dodgers.
So, all the way around they see heavy traffic because the street itself sees heavy traffic. I understand why they basically said 'screw it' and redid the store to cater largely to drive-thru and pickup. They still have outside seating, but you aren't using that from late May to early October!
I'm glad I still have pictures and I'm glad I made friends with the baristas there during the time we frequented the place. But that chapter is now solidly closed.