Small Business Owner Responds to VA Medical Centers Decision to Favor Starbucks Over 158 Small Businesses Nationwide

    EL DORADO HILLS, CA, July 04, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Obama administration has taken the stance in supporting small businesses as a part of our economic recovery. The administration has even taken measures to implement additional lending programs for small business owners. While it would appear that while the government is painting a pretty picture of support, Starbucks has recently quietly infiltrated every Veteran Medical Center nationwide, giving small business owners just 90 days' notice to vacate the premises.

How can this happen? It is bad enough business owners are struggling, but under the impression of small business support, the Walmart of coffee shops has ousted 158 businesses nationwide. Meet Ken Gilmore. Ken has worked at Mather air force base for the last 15 years. He is the face of the Veteran Medical Center and provides patrons with coffee and other concessions. Mr. Gilmore like many other small business owners were given 90 days' notice to cease their operations. The notice was issued after the VA Medical Center staff and patients even presented an 800 signature petition for Ken to stay, which was ignored and resulted in many unhappy patients and staff. The vast majority at Mather, staff and patients, not only do not want to see the changeover but are angry that their opinions don't seem to matter.

Unfortunately, Ken is not in the position like many other to start over. Starbucks did offer him a job, but this is not enough to make ends meet. Not only does Mr. Gilmore support his family, he also struggles with health issues from two heart attacks and is a recovering cancer patient.

"I thought the government was supposed to support small businesses." said Ken Gilmore. "I have proudly served the patients and patrons of this hospital for 15 years. I want people to be aware of Starbucks taking over the concessions of Veteran medical centers nationwide. This came as shocking news and it is being quietly swept under the table. I know other business owners are in the same situation I am in and I simply want to create awareness."

With revenues of $10.7 billion last year and 16,850 shops in 40 countries, Starbucks is clearly the world's top coffee retailer. The coffee giant recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The big question is this: Why go after the small mom and pop shops when they obviously do not need the revenue stream.

About Ken Gilmore

Ken resides in the greater Sacramento area with his family. He was born clinically blind and was denied admittance into the armed forces as a result. Ken spent the majority of his career on fishing boats in Alaska and has worked at the Mather Air Force Base Veterans Medical Center for 15 years. He wears two hearing aids as a result of a car accident, has advanced cardiovascular disease, and has had multiple other surgeries as a result of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer. He has operated their concessions and is the face of the hospital, servicing coffee and donuts to veterans. For more information on Ken and to learn more about his story please visit: http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/05/15/feds-forcing-small-business-owner-out-in-favor-of-starbucks/.

Contact: Michele Smith
Tel: 916.971.9617
E-mail: [email protected]
www.mcommunicationsinc.com

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