Starbucks to Close Seven Downtown San Francisco Stores While Expanding and Renovating Others
Starbucks has announced the closure of seven stores in downtown San Francisco, even as it continues to open, reopen, and renovate other locations across the city. The decision was conveyed by the company as part of its ongoing evaluation of its store portfolio.
A spokesperson for Starbucks explained that the coffee giant routinely assesses its store network to identify opportunities for investments, renovations, and alternative formats. The decision to close specific stores is driven by multiple factors, all aimed at maintaining a robust and healthy store portfolio.
Jessica Borton, Starbucks’ Regional Vice President for Northern California, informed employees at the affected stores of the closures in a letter sent on Monday. Borton emphasized that while store closures are always difficult decisions, they are made with the broader goal of ensuring a strong and sustainable presence for Starbucks in the region.
In her letter, Borton stated, “There are several factors Starbucks considers when tasked with the tough decision of closing a store, but it is all part of ensuring a healthy store portfolio. We will continue to listen to the needs of our partners to ensure they can focus on crafting beverages and creating connections in a welcoming environment.”
Effective October 22, seven Starbucks stores in downtown San Francisco will be closed. These include locations in the Financial District, Cathedral Hill, South of Market (SoMa), and Union Square. Notable among these closures are stores at the intersections of Mission and Main, Geary and Taylor (a pickup-only location), 4th and Market, and Bush and Van Ness.
Borton assured Starbucks employees affected by the closures that transfer opportunities would be available and offered to each impacted partner. The company remains committed to supporting its partners throughout this transition, ensuring their well-being as they move to other nearby locations.
Despite the store closures, Starbucks is investing $2.5 million in renovating four other San Francisco stores. These renovations will take place at two Union Square locations, one in Noe Valley, and another in Outer Sunset, indicating the company’s continued commitment to serving its customers in the area.
In recent times, Starbucks has been actively expanding its presence in San Francisco, with the opening or reopening of three new stores. This includes a prominent location in Union Square, the launch of a delivery-only store, and the transformation of an existing store on Market Street into a pickup-only location. These moves underscore Starbucks’ desire to adapt to changing consumer preferences while maintaining a strong foothold in the competitive coffee market.
