Starbucks locations reopening throughout Santa Barbara and Goleta

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — It’s been quite common to see a large line forming at the drive-thru Starbucks on Turnpike and Calle Real.

These lengthy lines have a lot to do with the fact that it was one of the only Starbucks locations open in town.

"Towards the first week of quarantine, when the line started at the corner,” regular customer Rudy Sanchez said. “That's the longest I've ever seen it."

“I go to Starbucks all the time and it was kind of frustrating when all this happened,” fellow customer Kelley Slaught said. “We had to only do the drive-thru."

In mid-March, most of the chain's stores either closed or were offering limited services in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Nowadays, this drive-thru Starbucks has evolved into a somewhat normal routine for most people.

“It's part of most people's everyday normal,” customer Tracy Hanson said. “So it kind gives you a sense of normal life again."

“Helps me keep a semblance of normalcy in my life,” another customer Brian King said. “Enjoy a cup of coffee and checkout the scene to see what’s happening in the world.”

This morning however, the drive-thru line at this particular Starbucks location was shorter than it had been compared to most weekdays. 

“I do see the line shorter, it’s way shorter than it would have been last week,” Sanchez observed.

This is because the national coffee chain unveiled a new format today, which allows more stores to reopen across the country. 

As a result, eight Starbucks spanning from Santa Barbara through Goleta — which had previously been temporarily closed — will reopen.

In order for this to happen, employees must wear protective gear and have their temperature checked before shifts. 

Customers will be able to order and pay ahead of time using the Starbucks App and pick-up orders at the door.

For the most part, people are relatively supportive of the corporation’s decision to begin reopening locations. 

"Think it's great,” Slaught said. “I mean you open up, people will be able to just come and pick it up and leave.”

"Interacting more and not having a giant problem happen, that's the proof in the pudding which will allow us to get back to whatever the next thing is,” King concluded.

Starbucks plans on reopening 90% of its stores across the country by June.