Robinson Funeral Home is located on South 1st Street in downtown Easley. (July 11, 2012/FOX Carolina)
Starbucks Coffee has numerous locations across the Upstate. (File/FOX Carolina)EASLEY, SC (AP/FOX Carolina) -
A funeral home is taking hospitality to a new level, offering comfort in a cup of Starbucks coffee to those mourning.
"We pride ourselves on the service that we provide for families and we wanted to also provide coffee in a very professional way and we felt like Starbucks was the best way," says Christopher Robinson, the owner and funeral director of Robinson Funeral Home in Easley.
Robinson says the Starbucks franchise will occupy a corner of the funeral home and appropriately be called the Coffee Corner. It will be open to not only those grieving the loss of a loved one but anyone who may just want a cup of coffee.
"I think people will like it, and if they don't and if it's not for them, and of course it's not for everybody, then they can come in the front door and they will hardly ever see it," says Robinson.
The Starbucks is still under construction along with the new lobby and restrooms. The addition is all in an area tucked away from funeral services and the crematory.
Robinson says his Starbucks will have all the comforts of home with WiFi, a fireplace and a television, hoping a cup of decaf will help people mourn their dearly departed.
"Losing a loved one could be the worst day of your life, and sometimes it helps to just step aside and come in here where it's private with a friend and have a cup of coffee and think about good times."
The franchise will open in early fall. The funeral home will still offer their complementary coffee to guests.
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