By Nina Singh-Hudson

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In a move prompted by persistent break-ins, the San Jose-based Voyager Craft Coffee chain is set to adopt a cashless policy starting today. The company, with several locations in the South Bay, has experienced over 20 break-ins during the past decade, escalating to a troubling frequency with three incidents in recent weeks. Explaining the policy shift, a statement posted on Instagram by Voyager Craft Coffee reflects concern for the safety of staff and customers that prompted the transition away from cash transactions.

The coffee chain’s co-owner, Sameer Shah, expressed the gravity of the situation in an interview with KTVU: “In order to keep them safe and have no chance of something bad happening while someone is looking for money, we wanted to put an end to this.” This decision stems from confrontations between staff and thieves, which elevate concerns for employee well-being. Thieves typically have broken glass to gain entry and target cash assets, a risk the owners are keen to mitigate.

Voyager Craft Coffee seeks not only to prioritize safety but also to adapt to the changing retail landscape where digital payments have become increasingly prevalent. To accommodate customers, the coffee shop has announced a grace period until September 30, after which only card and app-based payments such as Venmo will be accepted. This two-week transition period is designed to lessen the impact on patrons used to paying with cash. The announcement assures that the decision, while inconvenient for some, is made with the community’s best interests in mind and in pursuit of creating a safer environment.