I'm a bit younger of a barista than you (221xxxx), but I did leave for a year for an indie store and ended up coming back due to no one else hiring in my area. Starbucks is the same it has ever been and ever will be, a business run by profits.

That being said, they are(or at least my area ) trying to improve that third place feel. This does, however, come down to the individual store. Shop around the starbucks in your area and try to see how the SM runs it and if it would vibe with you. My experience has been that Starbucks can be great and a family with good benefits, or it can be a toxic hell hole with drama and emotions flaring on a never ending rollercoaster. But that's food service. Sorry to ramble, but yeah, its a good job with up to 30 hours that you'll be scheduled for during the slow season.

Shit wages. Understaffed. Really depends on the store, good coworkers make the job better.