East Coast's 1st Starbucks Closing, Will Be Torn Down

WASHINGTON -- The East Coast's first Starbucks, at Wisconsin and Idaho avenues, will be shutting its doors for good this weekend. As WTOP -- which is located right across the street -- reports, Starbucks' building will be soon torn down.

After years of neighborhood battles over the future development of the Friendship Center site, work on Cathedral Commons will soon begin, which will include a new home for Starbucks and Giant Foods. The mixed-use development will include a mix of retail, townhomes and apartments.

The Friendship Center was built adjacent to McLean Gardens, a massive World Ward II-era residential development constructed on the former Friendship estate, once a retreat for Hope Diamond owner and high-spending D.C. socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean.

The Friendship Center was also the site of a streetcar turnaround, where some Wisconsin Avenue trolley cars would head into the shopping center's parking lot before returning downtown.

One by one, businesses have left the Friendship Center in advance of the Cathedral Commons redevelopment -- including Sullivan's Toys & Art Supplies, a barbershop and the office of Gibraltar Asset Management, which has been accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of running a Ponzi scheme.

Wisconsin Avenue is also home to the so-called "Triple Homicide Starbucks" on the edge of Georgetown, where three employees where brutally murdered in 1997. That location, near 34th Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue, has been open since 1994, according to The Washington Post.

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Comments

[mudshark12]

10:51 PM on 01/29/2012

I'm surprised they didn't move it physically to another location. One would think this particular Starbucks would be a historical landmark, guess they ain't sentimental.

[TSOCANUCK]

11:05 AM on 01/28/2012

best espresso comes from my local italian bakery ..don't know what the fuss is about starbucks

[Frankthefitter]

09:10 AM on 01/28/2012

A little buisness fact about Starbucks for the frugal crowd. They pay rent, buy supplies and pay employees. They can't sell you coffee for a nickel. Their prices are no different to any other coffee shop. You may save fifty cents by going to a gas station for your coffee but honestly you get what you pay for.

[rbjllj]

10:18 AM on 01/27/2012

I think they over hyped and over priced, I prefer smaller coffee shops that roast their beans in house.

It's the fast food of coffee, and over priced for the lack of quality.

Also the calories and sugar is more of a coffee shake in most of the frappucinos.

[Canefighter]

09:48 AM on 01/27/2012

Nothing wrong with Starbucks. I go there once a week to get their Hot Chocolate. The Venti costs $2.75, Well worth the price.

[psandysdad]

09:21 AM on 01/27/2012

And right after they declared themselves gay-friendly.

[tz1030]

09:11 AM on 01/27/2012

Never understood their appeal. I think their coffee is bitter and even thier "cheap" coffee is overpriced.

[drpmindmender]

09:00 AM on 01/27/2012

I cold-brew my coffee at home. It cuts the acid content by 2/3s, The result is a concentrated coffee syrup that can last at least two weeks in the refrigerator, and makes even grocery-store coffee taste like an expensive roast. I can control the quantity, quality, and most inportantly, the SAVINGS.

[bunnbch]

08:37 AM on 01/27/2012

i love their mocha frappe but after trying mcdonalds theirs is much better. you get more at half the price and the taste is consistent every time.

[rose1957]

08:20 AM on 01/27/2012

OH PLEASE, I LOVE STARBUCKS!!!!

[Burt Sachs]

08:13 AM on 01/27/2012

Instead of spending 6 bucks for coffee, get a Keurig coffee maker...take the coffee with you instead, Not to mention the gasoline you waste sitting in line for coffee. Stop being so lazy. Or go to someplace like McDs for cofee or a gas station. Get off you lazy butt and realize how much money you will save!

[muscle guy]

08:05 AM on 01/27/2012

the worst burnt tasting coffee in the world.........

[Michael Shepdog]

07:25 AM on 01/27/2012

There is a Starbucks in the parking lot where I work. It has a drive through. I go to work at 6 am most days, and there is a long line of cars at the drive through each morning. Then somedays I go home durng lunch, work is close to my house. There is still a long line at the drive through for the coffee place. Then I go home, at the end of the day and there is still a long line at this drive through. This place is a goal mine. It is always busy. I cannot even dream of how much money they are making at this location.

[katooom]

07:50 AM on 01/27/2012

or how much gasoline is wasted by these people sitting at the drive through.

[jmf345]

09:29 AM on 01/27/2012

Did you ever think you might be in the wrong business, or working for the wrong company?

[Frankthefitter]

07:19 AM on 01/27/2012

Please stop with the over priced coffee. If you are ordering a regular coffee it's usually around 2 bucks. Not cheap but I wouldn't call that expensive. Most gas station charge a $1.50 for their low quality coffee.

[Frankthefitter]

07:13 AM on 01/27/2012

Finally something the hipsters and the country hicks found something they can agree on. Both know they look super cool if they loudly pronounce their disdain for Starbucks. Look you are super cool to not like Starbucks but they don't suck. There is a reason there is one on every corner. They provide good coffee and great service.

[ltricky]

07:52 AM on 01/27/2012

I work in nyc and thank god there is one every other block! Sore the coffee is a little more expensive,but if you use their card you can get free refills as well as a free drink coupon after 15 purchases! We all talk about supporting jobs in the United States this is no better way to start! Starbucks employ over 100,000 people all over te planet! Nyc also has a roach coach on every corner-the people working the cart barely speak english are rarely friendly and no one knows where the money is going! So invest in a great cup of coffee and an american icon!

[jmf345]

09:33 AM on 01/27/2012

Support jobs in the United States? You mean they found a way to outsource coffee makers? Do they make the coffee in China and bring it over here?