CULTURE DIGEST: Some Starbucks to sell beer

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"Responding to customer feedback for more options to relax in its stores in the evenings, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced plans to bring wine, beer and premium food offerings to a handful of locations in Atlanta and Southern California by the end of this year," Starbucks said in a news release Jan. 23.

Customers already can purchase beer and wine in some Seattle locations, and Starbucks previously announced plans to expand the offerings to some Chicago stores.

"As our customers transition from work to home, many are looking for a warm and inviting place to unwind and connect with the people they care about," Clarice Turner, senior vice president of U.S. operations, said.

"At select stores where it is relevant for the neighborhood, we are focused on creating an atmosphere where our customers can relax with a friend, a small bite to eat and a cup of coffee or glass of wine," Turner added.

Starbucks already sells breakfast and lunch foods, and the company hopes that by selling beer and wine in select stores it can move toward earning more income later in the day.

But some customers don't approve of the idea to serve alcohol after 2 p.m. on weekdays and after noon on weekends.

"If I wanted a beer, I'd go to a bar," Doug Tanaka, a police officer in Valencia, Calif., told the Los Angeles Times. "I bring my grandkids in here. I don't want to have to deal with a drunk if I'm having coffee."

A watchdog group called Alcohol Justice said many U.S. neighborhoods already have plenty of bars, restaurants and stores that sell alcohol.

"The more places that open, the more risk there is of alcohol-related harm," Alcohol Justice's Sarah Mart told Reuters.

Starbucks has more than 10,000 U.S. locations and more than 6,000 international stores, and the company plans to add another 800 venues this year with half of those in the Americas, the Times said.

STATES MULLING ONLINE GAMBLING LEGALIZATION -- As budget deficits continue to increase, several states are getting more serious about legalizing online gambling as a potential revenue source.

Nevada, Iowa, New Jersey, California and the District of Columbia are among those whose leaders are taking steps to allow citizens to play poker online, The New York Times reported Jan. 17.

The American Gaming Association says legalizing online poker could generate as much as $2 billion per year in tax revenue, far less than the $18 billion brought in by lotteries in 43 states, The Times said.