On November 6, Starbucks rolled out its Holiday menu and merchandise, marking the return of old favorites and the debut of new items. Across social media, one limited-time commodity in particular has been all the rage: the Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup.
This limited-time $30, 20-ounce glass Tumblr cup has captured the hearts of fans with its bear-shaped body and green beanie lid. Since stores receive a limited supply, customers compete to get their hands on it. Of course, with any viral phenomenon, some people ruin it for everyone. In this case, it was the Starbucks baristas, as one woman alleged in a video that has 2.2 million views.
What happened at this Starbucks?
While standing in front of a Starbucks window, TikTok creator Dakota (@kota_dstylist) records the alleged employees inside on the day of the holiday launch. But there is a problem: the workers were wearing pajamas and holding armfuls of the merchandise.
“All of the Starbucks employees came and took everything,” she says. “And we’ve been waiting in line outside. That is so crazy to me.” Her mother-in-law chimes in angrily, “Just cause you work here and now you’re just gonna take all the [expletive].”
The backstory unfolded
Then, the clip cuts to the content creator, who recounts the scene that led to that point.
“So, me, my mother-in-law, and my father-in-law go to Starbucks today to get the bear cup,” Kota says. “I was the very first person in line. I got there at 2 o’clock in the morning. This particular Starbucks didn’t open until 4.”
Ten minutes before opening, she witnessed the same four pajama-clad women from the beginning of the video approach the door. “So, the manager that was inside the Starbucks comes, unlocks the door, and she lets the four girls in,” Dakota recalls.
Initially, she brushes this off. But this is the incident where the beginning of the clip occurs. “She let them in and they just cleared the whole store,” she recalls, aghast. “They took everything.”
On the other hand, she did snag one holiday item. “I only got it because I waited in line for it. Like, I felt I needed to get something,” she says, unveiling the 26-ounce stainless steel Hello Kitty cold cup.
Now, the cup is a bitter reminder of the incident. “I like this one. It’s really pretty, but this is not what I came for. Because of the whole experience, it just kind of soured the whole mood,” Dakota remarks. “So, I’m looking at it and I don’t have happy feelings. This ended up being the worst experience I’ve ever had at Starbucks.”
What did viewers think?
The video amassed 2.3 million views. The comments section was divided. Those who sided with Dakota were outraged on her behalf.
“That whole staff needs to be fired,” one viewer commented.
“The fact that those employees did that to one of those customers who’ve been waiting that’s crazy and rude,” another criticized.
“What’s messed up [is] that they’re probably gonna sell them online for more money,” a third stated.
Meanwhile, others defended the baristas, claiming they were entitled to have first pickings of merchandise because they work for the company.
“I ain’t mad they work so freaking hard let them have the cool cups,” one commenter remarked.
“If you dont get first dibs, what’s the point or perk of working somewhere…?” a second wrote.
What did Starbucks say?
Starbucks stated in an email to The Mary Sue:
“This year, we are leaning into the nostalgia of Starbucks holidays from our customers’ favorite seasonal beverages to iconic holiday cups, to shelves stocked with Christmas Blend and premium merchandise, including the popular glass Bearista cup. The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations and despite shipping more Bearista cups to coffeehouses than almost any other merchandise item this holiday season, the Bearista cup and some other items sold out fast. We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused. We have more exciting merchandise coming this holiday season.”
Are Starbucks bear cups being resold?
The collectible cup sold out within a day of its release. According to the New York Post, stories from social media users echoed a similar sentiment as Dakota: staking out their location only for it to be unavailable. Furthermore, others shared how they stopped by several stores at different hours and had no luck. Some blamed employees for keeping the merchandise for themselves (as a few claimed to have seen), while others believed Starbucks is at fault.
Nevertheless, if a product becomes this big of an internet sensation, reselling is inevitable. (Think the Stanley Cups and Labubus). The Bearista is no exception. People Magazine reported hefty resale prices from $170 to $1,050. Whether Starbucks employees play a role in the resales is unknown.
@kota_dstylist the employees cut the line, locked us out, then took everything #starbucks #bearcup #bearista #viral #holidaytiktok @Starbucks ♬ original sound – Kota_dstylist
The Mary Sue reached out to Dakota via TikTok comment and direct message.
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