Starbucks

Starbucks, what else is there to say.

Is this the only retailer outside of CLT security? Hot damn! Well, they picked a good one. I arrive here brain dead most mornings, not having left myself enough time to eat, drink, or satisfy my stimulant dependence. Unfortunately, security lines being what they are, I am generally too worried about getting through in time to spend 5 minutes buying a cup of coffee. And if, by some miracle of St. TSA the line is short, they’ll confiscate the thing.
So you can’t win. But for the friends and family nice enough to drop their loved ones off in the grey pre-​dawn hours I’m sure this is invaluable: they typically a cluster around the shack, jonesing for a fix.

As I waited in line to have my ID checked, I used to wonder why are people getting coffee OUTSIDE security? They can’t bring the liquids with them into the secure area of the airport. It made no sense.
Tonight, I was meeting a friend at the airport and the answer to my question was realized. There is NOTHING outside of security. If you’re waiting on a delayed friend to arrive and you don’t have a boarding pass, then for you this is the only food at the airport!
This location has the usual Starbucks selections of coffee beverages, water, baked goods and pre-​made sandwiches. There is no place nearby to sit, but if you do find a seat, enjoy CLT’s free Wi-​Fi.
Warning! This is not a «Starbucks» operated location. The employees here work for HMS Host. With that disclaimer out of the way, the barista who prepared my latte did a good job, especially considering that she was running the stand on her own. She was friendly and had a big smile. I left a dollar on the counter — there was no tip jar.