Starbucks to close 600 stores

[jojapeach]

I'm proud to be a Caribou Coffee fan, and I bet the people in their corporate offices are having a pretty nifty day.

33girl: Observing the Krispy Kreme debacle would've meant that the top brass at Starbucks was paying attention to the world. On a serious note, this is a HUGE clue on the times that are a-changing.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

I'm proud to be a Caribou Coffee fan, and I bet the people in their corporate offices are having a pretty nifty day.

33girl: Observing the Krispy Kreme debacle would've meant that the top brass at Starbucks was paying attention to the world. On a serious note, this is a HUGE clue on the times that are a-changing.

When I drank coffee, Caribou was my favorite. Starbucks always tasted burnt

[sigmadiva]

For me Starbucks is an occasional treat, so I'm not too bummed.

[epchick]

So they are going to close 600 stores starting from late July until mid-2009.

YET...they are planning to OPEN 200 stores by 2009, and open around 400 stores by 2010/2011.

Ok Starbucks

[AGDee]

The article I read about it (I think on CNN) said that the stores that will close have been on their "watch list" for a year. They've been watching these stores to see if their sales would increase and they have not, so they are closing.

Closing some stores in areas where there is a glut of them and opening new ones in areas where there currently are none would still make sense from a business perspective. What doesn't make sense is that they opened so many so close to each other to begin with.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by AGDee

The article I read about it (I think on CNN) said that the stores that will close have been on their "watch list" for a year. They've been watching these stores to see if their sales would increase and they have not, so they are closing.

Closing some stores in areas where there is a glut of them and opening new ones in areas where there currently are none would still make sense from a business perspective. What doesn't make sense is that they opened so many so close to each other to begin with.

can only speak for here, but there are some locations that are crowded ALL the time. you can wait 15 minutes just to order. other locations have little sitting room and you can never get a seat. Maybe locations in close proximity aimed to relieve the wait.

now i know you may say, ugh, its only 15 minutes, but in the here and now era of folks who want their Venti Non-no blahdity blah, like, yesterday, its enough to almost need that many locations so everyone keeps their (coffee cup) lid on.

[Beryana]

Originally Posted by AGDee

The article I read about it (I think on CNN) said that the stores that will close have been on their "watch list" for a year. They've been watching these stores to see if their sales would increase and they have not, so they are closing.

Actually, they are closing stores that have been open less than a year in addition to the older stores. I do feel bad for my former co-workers that are losing their jobs -but am also glad that I left months ago when I was presented with a better opportunity!

[fanofflames]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

I'm proud to be a Caribou Coffee fan, and I bet the people in their corporate offices are having a pretty nifty day.

I use to manage a Caribou Coffee store, and I can definitely tell you that they are suffering worse than Starbucks. I do like Caribou Coffee better, but I moved a year ago to start grad school and there is no store in sight .

[preciousjeni]

I have a number of Starbucks opening in my county and seeking employees. Good luck, Starbucks. Low paying retail/service jobs are played out around here.

[PANTHERTEKE]

This only applies to retail stores, right?

Because my campus has 2 Starbucks and God forbid we're left with only one.

Nah but seriously, it's about time.

[Kevlar281]

I've never been to Starbucks but I really hope they don't get rid of the two Starbucks on South Shepherd and West Gray (right across the street from each other) in Houston. Can't help but think about Lewis Black's standup and laugh everytime I drive by.

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by Kevlar281

I've never been to Starbucks but I really hope they don't get rid of the two Starbucks on South Shepherd and West Gray (right across the street from each other) in Houston. Can't help but think about Lewis Black's standup and laugh everytime I drive by.

Ha! That kills me too. I remember when I heard that Lewis Black routine and remembered driving by those 2 Starbucks all the time when I lived in Houston.

I don't drink coffee, but I used to get dragged to Starbucks with friends and the funny thing about those two locations across the street is that they have completely different clientele.

For those not familiar with Houston, these two Starbucks are in a commercial area that has River Oaks to the west (River Oaks being one of the two best neighborhoods along with Memorial Villages which are just to the west of River Oaks) and then Montrose to the east which used to be more of the artsy area and still is, but is also more young professionals now with the condos going in.

The Starbucks on the north side of West Gray is where all the River Oaks people go, and the one on the south is where the Montrose people go- notably some very freaky nasty lesbians who would smoke cigars on the patio.

So while it seems odd to have two locations so close together, it actually makes sense.

What has NEVER made sense to me is having 5 Starbucks in or within a block of the Galleria.

Either way, Starbucks is a fad and they sell a very unhealthy product for a high price. Even the food they sell is all horrifically bad for you. I have never invested in the company on moral grounds and also because I firmly believed that once we hit hard times, designer coffee would be the first thing to go and the company would tank hard and fast.

[DeltAlum]

I won't miss them because I don't drink coffee at all, but I wonder if either of the two of them withing two minutes walk of my house will close.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

From what I read initally, it seems like the majority (unfortunately) will be in Florida and California because that is where the biggest housing crisises (whatever the plural of that is) are taking place.

They do have too many on top of each other. At first there was one in the SuperTarget I used to work in. Then one near the movie theater two towns (down the road) over. It has a drive through and is 24 hours. Then they put one a street light down from the Target. Then one in the old mall (a bit further away). Then one in the new mall. Now that B&N has opened at the new mall, they have one too, but it's like right NEXT to the other one! You exit B&N, walk up, and cross the little road that goes through it! Same plaza!

I knew it was ridiculous when I saw a sign going up in East side of my city. The majority of the people who live there don't even drink coffee!!! (Did they do any research?) My sorority sister lives there and she said it looks like they're not even going to bother opening anymore though.

[cheerfulgreek]

I don't really like Starbucks coffee. It's way too strong.

If all of them closed I wouldn't miss them.