Starbucks releases the list of stores that will close by the end of July

"Poor real estate decisions that were made, coupled with a very troubled economy, convinced us that these stores would not reach acceptable levels of profitability," Howard Schultz wrote in a memo to employees earlier this week. (Read the Post-Intelligencer story, which includes the list) . AND... from the Seattle Times: Starbucks customers lament losing their favorite cafes.

Comments

[george]

list is incorrect where is PA

[AliCat]

Somehow I don't really feel bad for all of these 'sad' customers when so many people are losing jobs.

[SomePerspective]

George- This list documents only the first 50 stores of the 600 total- which is why you may not see a store listed here that you have heard is closing...

[Barista Wannabe]

I dont see why they're closing secluded Starbucks in my area, and yet there are new shopping centers around here which have 2 Starbucks on either side of the freeway, plus another 2 inside grocery stores such as Ralphs. Wouldn't having 4 Starbucks in a one-mile radius mean WAY less profits for the company? The baristas working there could easily get jobs at other new retail/food stores nextdoor.

Really do you NEED that many Starbucks in one place? It's a bit overwhelming.

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster]

GEORGE -- the list is not incorrect. Here it is from Starbucks' site -- the same one posted at the newspaper site. No PA.

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/pressdesc.asp?id=880

[SomePerspective]

Barista wannabe- the answer to your question is simple and can be found in your own description:

1) your store is secluded. hence less traffic.

2) freeway stores have always been known to be much more profitable as a whole- usually designed for the commuter, they have high traffic.

3) 2 licensed stores- low cost, low profit, but they don't hit our books, so all-in-all they are low risk. It makes sense (from a financial standpoint) why they would keep these alive.

[Alex H.]

Barista Wannabee: The very first announcement from Starbucks also indicated that licensed stores would not be affected by store closures.

[coffee_master]

:( thats so sad....i feel bad for all the partners... :(

[Andy]

Man, check out Minnesota on the Starbucks closures map. Looks like there won't be a store left in the state.

[praxisguy]

Every store has unique characteristics, many have something that make it special. I'm wondering what traditions are being lost in the stores that are closing? What makes them special to the partners, to customers?

7343 in Greece, NY--if I remember my store numbers--has a tradition of etching the height of and name of hard working partners or partners appreciated by the team (DM/RD) on a section of wall in the back room. The store is two floors and kicked butt until a DT opened nearby.

[sims]

#9930 Fort Worth, TX-to touch on special relationships.
This store is truly an example. Ralph, the manager, considers the partners and customers his family and it is a painful "separation". They are part of the community. They are near the top in all categories Starbucks set for stores.
This is a drive thru store that never had a sign that faced traffic, never had a sirens eye in the window, and the space next door, that faced traffic, has been vacant for almost a year but they managed to meet their goals time and time again. There will always be a Starbucks nearby for coffee, but unfortunatly not this family. GOOD LUCK to all the individuals whether they stay with Starbucks or find another path.

[Kat]

I can't say I'm surprised they are closing four stores in my town, Starbucks went crazy opening stores here the past couple of years. I could have told them myself the locations they chose were poor ones, I rightly guessed before I saw the list. I will miss one of the stores, it was very roomy and comfortable inside and they have a nice outdoor patio to sit at during the nicer months.

[sbuxnewbie]

Congratulations, Darleen, on being safe!

We still don't know when we're closing, only that we're closing.

Of course, the other day I took a call from someone at the Landlord's office, asking for the Regional Manager's number... I gave the DM's number, as that was all I had...

I wonder if this portends a lease renegotiation, and we may be saved?

Anyone hear from Vicky Verona, and if her store is safe?

[Sorry, But]

There is NO saving the closed stores. Don't even hold out hope - if you've been told you're closing, you're closing.

[maggiemunkee]

praxisguy --

the ongoing decade-plus construction project on the road that store is on isn't helping.

it'll be a shame to lose such a unique store.

[Kimberly]

Starbucks partners are some of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of working with! Now if some of our customers could be as nice & patient - we can continue the changes that are needed to go in the direction of thriving once again!

[tallgrandeventi]

I also hear about one store closing in San Antonio, Tx at Bitters Rd and San Pedro. There are two just a block apart, one will remain open. I also understand all partners will be absorbed into other nearby stores. This one sounds like a logical decision and thankfully all partners will be taken care of.

[Randy]

I thought most stores that are closing are in Florida and California.

I'm confused, hasn't Montana had like 15 stores closing? Florida only shows 5.

Does anyone have any idea which other stores are closing in Florida?

[thesouthwestsiren]

Sadly, the North Main & WalMart Access Starbucks at 4510 North Main Street in Roswell, New Mexico will be closed. The timetable is 90 days, according to store sources.

The Main & College Starbucks at 1309 North Main Street in Roswell, New Mexico will remain open. A long-time licensed store is also in the Roswell Albertson's - our only link to the Starbucks brand for many years in this remote area.

The two company stores opened in Summer 2007 - 4510 North Main at the end of July and 1309 North Main at the beginning of August.

It's been a joy to travel between these two stores for almost a year! I could not believe we had TWO stores to enjoy, but now that seems to be ending. Best of luck to all at what we call the "North Store" in Roswell, NM. I'll be in soon for hugs and to talk about it if you want.

[Melody]

I heard unsubstantiated rumor that the Starbucks in the Met Park Building will be closing. ??? Does anyone know if this is true. I can think of a couple of Starbucks I'd close.
(Metropolitan Park North Tower
1220 Howell St.
Seattle, Washington 98101)

There are 5 Starbucks in the Northgate area (also Seattle) which is think is too many for that small neighborhood. 2 on Northgate Way, 1 licensed store in QFC on Northgate Way, and 2 in the Northgate Shopping Mall. I'd close only the very brand new 2nd Starbucks within the mall. It just doesn't make sense to me to have so many in such a very short distance of each other, in a neighborhood that is not a downtown urban center.

[Tall Dril]

"Does anyone have any idea which other stores are closing in Florida?"

I don't know, I get the feeling that very few if any S. FL stores will be closing. SBUX has a monopoly on the coffee business down here that it probably doesn't have in more coffee-knowledgeable locales. I live in a huge, dense area, but there are no indie coffee shops near me. None...but I can count 8 SBUX stores within a radius of a handful of miles. Most of those 8 are older stores, too.

[Marcia Merson]

I personally prefer Starbucks over Dunkin' Donuts any day! But the store closings are quite telling. It's actually deceiving to think it's only bec we are in a sluggish economy. Starbucks is a way of life! Could it be that the its losing its elitist edge over the coffee klatch?

Check out http://www.chatterbox-cafe.com/page2.html to find out more.

[Randy]

Marcia, the link you provided was bad i think, but I managed to find it an you are the writer I presume?

It was a pretty boring blog and I loved this...

"It's doubtful that an American audience truly buys into the faux italian coffee house feel the Seattle chain exudes."

hahaha... Was this written in 1988?

[SWFLORIDACLOSINGS]

I know for fact that each store on this list has already been notified by the RD and DM and all partners know about the fate of their store in this area. This isn't news to any of these locations.

SW FLORIDA STORES THAT ARE CLOSING DATES TBA:

FT MYERS:
Altamont Ave & McGregor Blvd, Fort
2059 Altamonte Ave
Fort Myers, Florida 33901

Edison Mall (outside location)
4125 Cleveland Ave. 1235B
Fort Myers, Florida 33901

Six Mile Cypress & Colonial Fort My
9390 Six Mile Cypress Prkwy
Fort Myers, FL 33912

ESTERO FL:
Gulf Coast Town Center
9903 Gulf Coast Main St
Fort Myers, FL 33913

Coconut Point 2
8017 Plaza Del Lago Drive
Estero, FL 33928

BONITA SPRINGS, FL
US 41 & Pelican Landing Pkwy- Bonit
24630 South Tamiami Trail
Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Promenade at Bonita Bay
26851 South Bay Drive
Bonita Springs, FL 34134

NAPLES, FL:
US 41 & Golden Gate Pkwy.
2130 Tamiami Trail No
Naples, FL 34101

Immokalee Rd & I-75 - Naples
2405 Tarpon Bay Blvd
Naples, FL 34119

[RainGrlBarista]

The only store I saw listed for the state Missouri (or as I like to call it jokingly "The State of Misery") was a store located in Jennings, MO. However I was informed by my SM that 4 stores within the greater Kansas City market will be closing. I was informed that a Lee Summit, MO store (on 152Hwy within the Rain Tree shopping area), 13th & Main St (in downtown KCMO)and a couple of stores over in Johnson County area of Kansas (probably in Overland Park or Olathe areas...since there is quite a few stores in those areas.)More updates later.

[Darleen]

Congratulations, Darleen, on being safe!

We still don't know when we're closing, only that we're closing

Thank you newbie. Let me say how sorry I am that your store is closing. Will you be staying on with the company? I hope so, we need partners such as yourself. I'm pretty sure Vicky is safe, she stated once that she had 2 ASM's so my guess is her store is very profitable if they can afford 2 asm's. Let me know what your plans are and Good Luck to you!!!

[sbuxnewbie]

Darleen,

My intention is to stay - it depends on openings and travel distance. Several of the other managers have told me that I would be a welcome addition to their stores.
I have, however, given up the idea of being promoted should I stay, because we only have 3 ASMs in the district. The neighboring district (which also has only 3 ASMs) brought in an ASM and SM from out of state, rather than promote from within - I admit I don't know the ins-and-outs of that, and it probably wasn't as clean a process as it looks from the outside.

I've also realized some of the non-retail paths I'd been exploring are closed to me, with the store closings.

It is a little depressing, some days, but I do want to be a good example for the younger partners. Plus, when the regular customers come in every morning, it brightens my day considerably. I'm really going to miss them.

[baristagrl]

rngrlbarista - there are quite a few more stores in the STL area that are slated to close sometime in the future. We got hit pretty hard on this side of the state...

[nuchef equipment]

inrested in equipment of closing stores

[wondergekko]

praxisguy - do you work in the Rochester, NY market? I know of no such markings in the backroom of #7343, which unfortunately will be closing.

[soynonfatwhole]

im a barista at a store in northern michigan,gaylord.and we are closing. we are the only store for miles..and do well in the summer and winter.we are a tourist community-kind of a no-brainer that we wouldnt do so well in the spring and fall.but,we are right off the freeway which started picking up twice as many customers since we got an mdot sign put up last year.anyhow,im disgusted with how things are going to pan out-our manager has 6 weeks,then gone.we have no clue when the final date will be-we were told we will get 30 days notice which could be tomorrow,up to march.2009.lame.why bother telling us if they didnt have a definate plan of when we were closing????im beyond irritated and feel like i was promised a lie.starbucks bullshits people about how well they treat theyre employees...yes,we have benifits at 20 hours(but we are all considered part time employees..which also means not even half of us can apply for unemployment)we have stock options(but majority of the people i know,cant afford to take the extra money out for them)because we also have lousy pay rates.they make more at mcdonalds.i love my job,i love the people i have met(most anyhow)and i love the people i work with,their great people,and most have become like family,and it angers me that they expect us to "keep up the good work" until theyre done with us..and all theyre leaving the few people to close out the store is a pathetic 2 weeks severence of our average pay week for the last 4 weeks.once again..lame.there are 2 licensed stores coming into town.not a big surprise-good investment-they can ditch us now and collect the cash from glens and meyers,and dont have to deal with the employees there.thats fine,if they dont think we generate anough money here..but everyone is just disapointed in the company,and how they are dealing with us.