PARK CITY, Utah — Park City Mountain Resort will soon open under new management, and though the resort said it will maintain its identity locals aren’t so sure.
Residents are already seeing small changes, including a move to replace a local coffee shop on the mountain with Starbucks.
“We got a call Monday, and it was from the food and beverage director [with Vail] telling us we would no longer have our coffee sold up there [at Park City Mountain Resort],” said Robert Hibl, who is the owner of Park City Coffee Roaster.
Vail exclusively serves Starbucks at all of its resorts. It released this statement to FOX 13 News: “We have strategic partnerships with a number of companies to enhance the guest experience across our resorts and, as part of integrating Park City Mountain Resort into the Vail Resorts family, we are changing coffee suppliers at the resort to our longtime partner, Starbucks, whose products are exclusively served at all of our resorts.”
Resident Connor Ray spoke about the change.
“Everyone wants to get their Starbucks cup of coffee, so I understand it on the level,” he said. “But being a local, it hurts.”
The coffee shop owner doubts people will stop skiing Park City Mountain Resort over a cup of coffee, but he said locals will lose a little bit of their community.
“I think people associated our loss in business with the loss of a local sense to the community, in terms of what’s available up there and this big corporation coming in and pushing out the little guys,” Hibl said.
Coffee drinkers can still get their Park City Coffee Roaster fix at the shop near Kimball Junction.
