Pregnant woman says Arizona Starbucks wouldn't let her use bathroom

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KABC) -- A woman who is eight months pregnant claims she was denied access to a bathroom at an Arizona Starbucks because she hadn't purchased anything yet, ABC affiliate KTVK-TV reports.

Ilana Scheinker suddenly needed to use the restroom and went to the closest place she saw. But when she asked the Starbucks barista for the key code to the bathroom, she was told no.

"He unapologetically said, 'You have to buy something to use the bathroom,' and I said 'I'm very pregnant. I really have to go now,' and again he said 'no,' and was completely unrelenting," Scheinker said.

Scheinker was told only paying customers were allowed to use the restroom. No exceptions. But when Scheinker's husband offered to buy something, she was still told she couldn't use the restroom.

"My husband said, 'Here's my credit card; charge me for anything. Give me the code.' And the man still said, 'No,' and said, 'You can go to the Fry's down the street if you want to go to the bathroom,'" said Scheinker.

Scheinker then gave up and went to a Subway restaurant which did allow her to use the restroom.

Starbucks is now apologizing, giving a statement to KTVK-TV saying:

"We failed to meet this customers' expectations of us, and we have apologized and are working to make it right. This experience is unacceptable and not indicative of the welcoming and respectful service we strive to offer our customers in our stores."

Scheinker says she's not sure if she'll ever go back to a Starbucks again.