News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Starbucks to Close A Local Outlet

Starbucks to Close A Local Outlet

Coffee Firm Shutting 600 Company-Owned Stores

By Michael P. Neufeld
Saturday, July 19, 2008

Lake Arrowhead, CA – The newest Starbucks Coffee store in the mountain communities located in a former Burger King Restaurant is scheduled to close, according to a news release issued by the specialized coffee company.

The Lake Arrowhead company-owned store at 312 South Highway 173 is among 600 outlets scheduled for closure beginning this month and continuing through the first half of fiscal year 2009. The exact date of the local closure has not been announced.

The Starbucks at 312 South Highway 173 in Lake Arrowhead is slated to close. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The store located inside Jensen's Finest Foods in Blue Jay will remain open, as will two stores in Big Bear Lake. The new store at 40th Street and Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino is not subject to the closure announced by Starbucks.

"In the spirit of transparency with our partners, customers and communities," the Starbucks statement read, "we have provided the full list of stores online for general information at http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/USStoreClosureInfo.pdf.

Store partners will receive advance notice and more details from their leadership team once a specific closure date has been confirmed.

"The list is provided solely for general information purposes," the news release continued, "and does not create any obligation or commitment by Starbucks Coffee Company with respect to the closure of any particular store."