Starbucks To Close 600 U.S. Stores

SEATTLE — Starbucks Corp. has announced it's closing 600 underperforming stores in the United States.

The Seattle-based premium coffee company also announced Tuesday it expects to open fewer than 200 new company-operated stores in the United States in fiscal 2009.

The company says it will try to place workers from closed stores in remaining Starbucks.

Comments

[researcher]

oh the price of imperialism

think americans will some day wake up to the reality that imperialism costs lots of money and makes the corp lots of money

reagan's genius the trickle down theory most americans bought it lock stock and barrel even lined up to vote for him

go reagan economics bye bye middle class


middle class make sure you line up now to vote for mc same

I have traveled the industrialized world and there is no country dumber when it comes to economic systems than most americans not huff post folks now. and that dumber than dumb applies to our economic gurus also.

americans are going to stick with capitalism and imperialism as it takes the middle class right down the tubes. even the liberals love it

matters not who wins in the long run america is toast ie second world status coming soon

the reason: capitalism by its very nature is designed to self destruct instead we blame politicans and corporations. americans need a good dose of root cause analysis or the seven whys

[philinmedford]

Wow, all that over some starbucks closing......you need to slow down on the caffeine!

[NOLIESPLEASE]

It's true....that the reality. Pigs get fat and Hogs get slaughtered !!!!! The chickens are coming home to roost!

[NickNas]

With the price of GAS Luxury Items like posh Coffee is WAYYYYYYYY Down the list of priorities. We have learned to make our own KILLER stuff here at our house!

[oafishcad]

If I walk one block north, east or west there's a Starbucks, Coffee Bean, or Peets coffee. If Starbucks closes I'll still have two overpriced choices. And yes, I do indulge, almost daily. I know it's foolish, but I walk to work, so I don't have any commuting expenses whatsoever.

[mypov123]

Starbucks coffee is overrated, seriously.

[racom]

Well, no more than it's over priced.

[KillTheMessenger]

Yes, it is even more overrated than it is overpriced. Serve that stuff anywhere in Italy and you have major riots at your hand.

[sowhatdemos]

They also don't participate in fair trade, they have exploited third world countries.

[mathme]

I guess I didn't know that-- but I never go there or buy their crap anyway. There is a free-trade only shop less than a block from here. The coffee is better, too (not a tall order, but I buy my beans for home use from there, too).

[paganprince]

You have your facts wrong. Starbucks is the largest buyer of Fair Trade in the world. That is one thing you are supporting when you buy their overpriced coffee. There is a lot to fault in Starbucks but this is not one of those things. As someone who is currently working as a barista I know this first hand. Their biggest faults in my opinion are the crappy wages and the tepid effort at recycling within the stores themselves. Of course I may not be working there in the very near future it would seem...

[bushbotssuc]

Well, they could always reorganize under a religious banner and then qualify for government grants.

[stevietheman]

Hooray for locally owned coffee houses!

[01202009]

I must be the only lone wolf in coffeeland because I don't like Starbucks coffee and it's way overpriced. I'd rather go to McDonalds.

[gonavy]

McD coffee is superior, but I refuse to give up my Starbucks mochas.

It is my only vice, and I'm lucky to get it once a month, but when I do, it's bliss. I don't know if it's the drink or the fact that I finally got a free moment away from my four kids.

[lexicoscott]

I am not a fan of their coffee. My wife is however, she rarely gets it because of the price.

Let's see, a small meal or coffee... hard to choose.

[racom]

Hardly the only one, I gave up on starbucks years ago. McDonalds, 7/11 and local shops are much better.

[GeeBee]

7-11? What other substance are you on?

[Tator]

HAHAHAHAHA only fools would pay $4 for a cup of coffee that is beat out in taste test by McDonald's coffee. I guess the "stuck on stupid" crowd finally woke up.

[sawbuck]

Actually, at Peets at least, a cup of regular coffee...with your own cup, is $1:50. if you have to get a foofy cafe con latte mocha frapacino drink , then it's more like $4. But a 'cup of coffee' is not $4.

[VivaZapata]

don't mind the little potato; he just likes to zing in nasties and be on his way. best to ignore him.

[Scarllatti]

Who cares if they close all? There is still good old Dunkin. What does Starbucks taste like?

[BEHM777]

I'd feel sorry for Starbucks, if I didn't hate Starbucks. Caribou is the spot.

BEHusseinM777

[Jrtrollspaceman]

OHMAGOSH!!!!

[darthdarcy]

Better get ready for some really bad times ahead...this is a great sign of what's to come an indicator I see a total economic collapse being only months away and if Bush attacks Iran that might be all it takes for markets to collapse under the weight of energy prices..that could tip the balance...

[Denver80203]

600. that's maybe half of the stores in Denver alone. whatever will we do?

[mathme]

I do like starbucks for supporting liberal causes & the democratic party... I'd much rather dunken dognuts close. There is one in downtown lincoln that I hope is closing... there are a lot of independent coffee houses downtown and there isn't a need for chains to move in.. especially if their coffee is gross.

[strifeknot]

Believe it or not, there's only one Starbucks within many, many miles of me, and I fear this is one that will be closed. I don't go there often, as they are of course overpriced, but I like to indulge in one every now and then.

I really wish we had some Peet's franchises on the east coast.

[paixa3]

You can make your own wonderful espresso or cappacino at home much cheaper.

I think the economic situation is starting to close in on the populace.

[63lincoln]

I love my tassimo!

[strifeknot]

Good espresso machine costs a fortune. I drink them so infrequently that it would not be cheaper for me to make them at home. Besides, I usually don't want one when I'm home, I only go to Starbucks when I'm on a work break.