Gothamist: Starbucks to Close Stores, Fire 12,000 Employees

NannyState

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:12:38 -0500

It's like 1999 is finally over.

drchadwick1

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:12:05 -0500

They opened multiple locations close together to drive out any independent coffee shops. They did a pretty good job of it. Walk around 8th Ave in Chelsea -- there are THREE of them between 14th and 23rd. Fuck Starbucks -- I never set foot in one if there's any other option.

runs with scissors

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:40:07 -0500

all things said, starbucks is one of the few retail outlets that offers health insurance to its employees. quite a few of my current and former students work for starbucks and the insurance is a big deal for those of them who are also parents. laying off so many people like them and seeing how many more women than men work at starbucks gives me a really bad vibe.

theevilone

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:30:01 -0500

Wow. Now I'll have to walk two blocks to an SBucks instead of one.

Shinobi Shaw

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:02:29 -0500

This is a Global recession and once this country is overcome by another Great Depression, the whole world will feel as well.

whitecastlerock

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:19:53 -0500

Sorry so many people will lose their jobs. Times are tough and folks can't shell out two bucks for a "tall" crappy Pike Place Roast blend coffee anymore.

abcohen

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:55:07 -0500

Well I really think they need to look closely at which stores they close... There are 4 stores on Union Square -- all of them PACKED!!!! with lines at most of the hours... Down in TriBeCa is the same... there is liek 4 stores in a 5 block radius - always a ten minute line to get your coffee... just doesnt make sense to me

kcin122

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:53:29 -0500

I think they will still have around 6,000 stores in the US.

Anna_Merkin

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:40:34 -0500

It will be interesting to see how they make this business work - high volume, premium goods while attempting to maintain the perception of scarcity and atmosphere of comfort. I've all but sworn off Starbucks unless there's no other alternative and I'm going in to grab a quick coffee to take with me. I can no longer concentrate with the din of loud music and customers. I wonder if they'll get push back from their merchandise and service partners (e.g., wifi providers, music retailers) who will undoubtedly suffer from lower sales as people spend less and less time in the retail locations.

longacre

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:14:06 -0500

#2: The end isn't so near. They'll still have over 15,000 shops after they close these.

TK

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:45:03 -0500

I've always thought that Starbucks is now for teenagers like McDonalds when I was that age... you either worked there yourself or knew someone that did.

babyhitler

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:27:55 -0500

NOOO! Half empty to ghosttown starbucks are my favorite to frequent. It's like you've got this entire Coffeehouse just to yourself. You can lounge and sit in the entire place and just relax. Sure they are probably losing thousands of dollars a day but at least you are enjoying it soliarily. I never enter a crowded starbucks like the astor place ones.

JRod5417

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:58:29 -0500

I know Starbucks is the evil empire, but 12,000 people losing their jobs is nothing to celebrate. Sheesh.

appleface

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:47:35 -0500

Rev. Billy 1 Starbucks 0

schadenfreudian mensch

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:13:57 -0500

And bad burnt coffee at that.

jenspellnogood

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:53:09 -0500

finally the end is near, thank god - it's only coffee you addled lemmings!

Bottomless Chips

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:48:14 -0500

As a shareholder: YES! This was necessary. Next step: STOP WITH THE CHEAP INSURANCE.