Thousands have signed a petition to prevent Starbucks from opening a store in Yosemite National Park.
The multi-billion dollar brand, which is renowned for having a store on every corner of every town, put forward proposals to open a Starbucks inside a food court at the park.
Many of those signing the petition expressed concern that a corporation could impact the stunning national park – visited by 5 million people every year to take in its beautiful vistas, and see the diverse selection of flora and fauna.
Thousands have signed a petition to prevent Starbucks from opening a store in Yosemite National Park (pictured)
Nearly 9,000 people have signed the petition over fears that granting the store will make the park ‘hardly distinguishable from a chaotic and bustling commercial city’
‘National parks are some of the only free, clean, beautiful and pollution free places we have left. Multi billion dollar corporations don’t belong!’ said Rebekah Stevens, of Mariposa, California, one of the almost 9,000 people to sign the petition since it was launched last week.
This petition, which will be delivered to the Yosemite National Park Administration, Rep. Tom McClintock, Sen. Kamala Harris and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, insists that ‘Multinational corporations have no place in our National Parks. The opening of a Starbucks in Yosemite Valley opens the door to further undue development.
‘The Park will lose its essence, making it hardly distinguishable from a chaotic and bustling commercial city.’
The petition is gathering speed despite the fact the Starbucks would be inside an existing food court (stock image of a Starbucks)
The petition is gathering speed despite the fact the Starbucks would be inside an existing food court.
Lisa Cesaro, the marketing manager at Yosemite Hospitality which runs the food court, told the Fresno Bee that the park had been in talks with Starbucks as they were looking to ‘enhance the visitor experience.’
She insists the plans will go ahead despite locals concerns.
The job listings for roles at the proposed Starbucks have since been removed.